Artist in residence

Creative co.lab gives the stage to an artist in residence several times a year. This gives artists the opportunity to conduct research, create new work or prepare exhibitions. The preparatory process is just as important as the final product. With the recidency, we also want to make this making process visible.

Artist list:
October - November 2023: Julia van Ravenstein

Julia van Ravenstein

I create interactive experiences for people of all ages to engage with and explore. Often, these experiences are inspired by psychological processes and my reflections on personal life. As a 22-year-old, navigating the world, understanding myself, and finding my place within it keeps me constantly occupied. After graduating, I dipped my toes into the waters of the "real world" for the first time, experiencing many challenges that arise when you must rely solely on yourself to pursue your goals.
What does the word 'me' mean to me, and how can I properly ‘be’ it? This is where the inspiration for my artist residency at Nieuwe Veste emerged. The act of looking inside oneself and asking fundamental questions: Who am I, and what do I really need?
Introspection has always played a significant role in my life, and it consistently weaves its way into my work in one form or another. I'm curious about finding ways to provoke the interplay between our inner and outer worlds and how to integrate one into the other. I introduce textile-covered forms into human spaces for others to experience and explore on their own terms.
Art spaces have an opportunity to foster curiosity and discovery for people, allowing them to explore beyond their usual frame of reference, whether it pertains to the world or their own selves. This experience may even ignite a long-term transformative process, akin to what many artists undergo in their creative pursuits. While the work is mine, the experience is yours, which is truly the most vital aspect. Instead of demanding people's attention and cognitive effort to understand my art, I invite them to embark on their own journey with it. I provide something to explore and be curious about. This is what I adore about creating interactive experiences – it's all about you.

The artwork: 
We; Reflective beings
 De titel ( We; Reflective beings ), The first visual result of the ongoing experimental process of our artist in residency: Julia van Ravenstein. To be continued…