Three-Outta-Six! Witty Art Works rated as ''Excellent'' during this year's NOISE Festival

Absolutely awesome! Yesterday, I got the news that 3-out-of-the-6 Witty Art Works that I had submitted earlier this year to the NOISE Festival 2014, have been awarded with an 'Excellent' rating by none other than the festival's very own founder and CEO Denise Proctor.

So, what does that mean then? Well, as the NOISE Festival puts it, amongst others:
''Your fantastic work has been rated by a curator or member of our shortlist panel. Your work has all the hallmarks of excellence. It shows promise and we see big things ahead for you and your work.'' 

Now, THAT's something I definitely like to hear! 

Three.Out.Of.Six. Pretty much makes a 50/50 score, so that is really, really, really amazing to find out and a huge boost for not as much my own personal ego (sure, yes, it does - no need for false modesty here) but definitely for my belief in Witty Art! 

Entering NOISE 2014
When entering NOISE earlier this year, I have to admit, I was pretty anxious about it. Though having won prices in various (smaller) art competitions in The Netherlands before, I really felt this was stepping it up a notch. You see, it's no secret I'd like Witty Art to venture out into the world, as I'd like for people worldwide to be able and enjoy my work. So, showcasing your work internationally is a must - and the Noise Festival provided me with a great opportunity to do so.

So, when the news came last night that not one, not two, but three out of the six works got the mark ''EXCELLENT'', it was not just fab news to me, but a major recognition of my creative art work. Especially, as my work borders on the very edge of autonomous and illustration art, or rather, in the no man's land between the two of them, a place I like very much to dwell in. 

Awarded works
So, which three Witty Art works were rated as ''Excellent'' then? Well, I have to say, they're three works I was already proud of, but now even more so. Here they are:

1. 'Silenced Minority #3'' (2013) SOLD

A series dear to my heart, and especially this one. A tale of oppression and what happens when the silent majority doesn't speak out in favour of minorities' rights but silences them by killing their voice. View this Witty Art Work and its official rating on my NOISE Portfolio here. 

2. ''A World To Be Blamed'' (2013)
  

 

One of The Singles, and one of the very first. Somehow, I think the image speaks for itself. View this Witty Art Work and its official rating on my NOISE Portfolio here.

3. "Mummies Dearest #4'' (2014) 

'Mummies' Dearest #4' is part of a series of (for now) six drawings, about that all-consuming 'Motherly Smotherly Love'. View this Witty Art Work and its official rating on my NOISE Portfolio here. 

And the great thing about this one is .. this one is about to be unveiled to the public and to be showcased LIVE as part of a group-exhibition from November 8th - 30th in my hometown Rotterdam.

Last but not least, I want to say a major thank you to the whole NOISE Festival 2014 team: management, curators, staff, volunteers and trainees alike for their hard work and effort into putting this together. And, a token of appreciation for all my fellow artists who have entered their work and shared their often amazing creativity with the world. I will definitely enter the NOISE Festival again in the future. 


 

New additions to Witty Art series ''Silenced Minority''

Time for another update on one of the series most dear to me: ''The Silenced Minority''. In two earlier posts, I already told a bit about my inspiration for this particular series. You can read them here (in English) and here (in Dutch).

Basically, the series is about the oppression of outcasts in a repressive society. A society, where minorities are slowly but surely, determinedly, being forced into the margins of society, stripped from their rights and robbed of their voices. A grim vision, perhaps? Well, unfortunately, even in today's world it's still reality for a whole lot of people worldwide. 

And perhaps I am not the one to climb on barricades, or the most politically active or outspoken, I do believe we, who happen to live in freedom, all have a choice, and a voice to go along with it. My voice happens to be my art. I hope, one way or the other, it will not go lost and unheard but it will touch some of people's minds out there. And, even more importantly, your hearts.

When the Majority remains Silent, the minority's voice goes unheard or is put quiet: The Silenced Minority.

You can find the whole series, consisting of #1 - 10 (so far) on the Series Page here. As I said, this is a series I hold very dear, so I will be certainly working on this one during the year.

Silenced Minority: oppression of outcasts

One of the series I've been working on last year, is called ''Silenced Minority''. It's a series of drawings, basically about the ever-present danger of shutting out groups of people out of society, eventually leading to shutting them up, and shutting them down.

When the Majority remains Silent, the minority's voice goes unheard or is put quiet: The Silenced Minority.

This series, like so many of my work, will continue to be one in constant progress, especially since it's about a topic I care deeply about and this is the one way I feel free and strong enough to express my feelings.

All works shown above are drawings, ink and watercolour on paper and, for those of you who are interested, available for sale at a minimum price of € 245,- ex VAT and excluding frame. Interested? Just send me an email or contact me via Facebook or Twitter.

The Silenced Minority

Als mij gevraagd wordt naar de aanleiding van een bepaald werk of een serie, dan is mijn antwoord dat dat per serie enorm verschilt. In het ene geval zijn het actuele ontwikkelingen in het nieuws, dan weer het universele menselijke, soms is er geen directe aanleiding en rijgen verschillende beelden zich lukraak aaneen tot één groter geheel. 

De aanleiding voor ''Silenced Minority'', daarentegen, staat mij nog scherp bij. Deze serie ontstond 26 augustus 2012. Die avond was het programma ''Zomergasten'' op TV, de aflevering met Adriaan van Dis. In die bewuste aflevering toonde Van Dis fragmenten uit documentaires, films, programma's over Afrika, zijn fascinatie met menselijke gebreken en (vergeten) oorlogen. Onderwerpen die mij ook altijd fascineerden; en dat nog steeds doen. Terwijl Van Dis zijn fragementen toonde en becommentarieerde, tekende ik.

En zo vermengde ik beelden uit de documentaire ''The Last Voices of World War I'', waarin veteranen van WO1 vertelden over hun ervaringen, zich met de verdrongen herinneringen van de ''Troostmeisjes'', over hun leed en vernederingen tijdens de Japanse bezetting van voormalig Nederlands-Indië. Meer fragmenten toonde van Dis, over recht en onrecht, over oorlog, bezetting en onderdrukking. En nog steeds tekende ik.

Die specifieke uitzending, was de aanleiding voor een reeks schetsen, die ik heb uitgewerkt tot mijn serie ''Silenced Minority.''

The Silent Majority. Een gevaarlijk fenomeen, want wie zwijgt, stemt immers toe. Waartoe het kan leiden, toont de geschiedenis. Keer op keer, en keer op keer weer. En waar The Silent Majority overheerst, worden minderheden stelselmatig en structureel het zwijgen opgelegd, monddood gemaakt: The Silenced Minority.