For those that are new to Beelddragers, what is it that you guys do?
„Beelddragers started in 2010 when Brenda, Tjade and me worked together at Foam Lab. We decided to start our own project ‘Beelddragers’ because we all shared the same passion for shaping a project from beginning to end, from graphic design to curating and production. All to present and promote the work of talented image makers. Basically with our concept X10 (times ten) we invite young and upcoming artists to tell us a story that inspires them and to create a special image to go with their story.“
With ‘X10’ you annually present ten new talents. How did this idea come about?
„The context of an art piece always fascinated us, which is why we were eager to provide a platform for people to share their stories. With X10 we can share the idea behind the work combining image and text. Next to an exhibition we always organise a print sale. All prints are €50, printed in an edition of thirty. I feel folks in their twenties and thirties are more open to buying art nowadays, but it still seems rather expensive. We want to stimulate their enthusiasm about art and make sure they can have a great art piece on their wall for an affordable price. For the artists it is a cool opportunity to get noticed by a new audience and sell their work, sometimes for the very first time.“
Can you give us a sneak peak of the ‘X10’ participants this year?
„It’s a nice mix of new graduates and artists that have been working for a couple of years. We choose each of them for their talent, because they stood out for us. Photographer Elmer Driessen shares a really personal and local story on the paving stones in his new street. Intrigued by the ancestry of the paving stones he took one back to the original quarry in Belgium, reuniting the stone with its friends. Illustrator Jip Piet on the other hand gives us an insight into his brain. He visualizes a manic mix of thoughts on graduating at art school, with themes like mutual competition, rules to obey to and the pressure to stand out.“
Sounds like a refreshing combination of talents. What does the future holds?
„Giving young artists a stage and offering them a place to grow is what we really aim for. Abel Minnee, to name one, was one of the first to exhibit with us and now he is a Foam talent. It’s great that we discovered him at an early stage and it is rewarding to see his work has been picked up on a national and international level. Hopefully more talents benefit from working with us in the future. His prints are still for sale on our website by the way, haha.“
Beelddragers presents X10 is on show 20th and 21st of November at Werkplaats. Entrance is free so drop by and join us for the exhibition and a print sale.
Info
Elmer Driessen
Jip Piet
Abel Minnee
www.beelddragers.nl
