2015 INTERVIEW- ‘THE UNIVERSE WITH ASYLA TEN HOLT’/Curacao Art painter/Educator/Prosaist. WHAT DO YOU EXPRESS? Firstly I’m female Art painter, work with mix media on canvas and express surrealistically, using traditional/metaphysical concepts as base for my paintings. They are detailed subjects-most figurative symbols with Caribbean characterized/behavioral expressions. They’re proposing simplicity combined with mix Colors in bold and or pastel abstractive nuances. The ideas are most imaginative or dreamy. Secondly I’m work on textile Art/Creative Cards and designs of craftworks like jewelries with mostly healing stones.
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WHAT IS ART TO YOU AND WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU WANT TO BRING FORTH? Art is a Creative form of expressing the feeling which comes instantaneously from intuition or inspiration and put in action - it’s than visible for others to admire. Above all, it’s an integrated action between the work and the artist that find itself into that space of exploration – contentment and self reliance. A painting can strike someone’s heart looking at it and feel belonged through its connected magnetism. Along with this exploration, I’m concerned with the heritage everyone should claim to hold on to traditionally and meet with oneself on a journey of constant change. The expressions are derived from own vision. IS IT A WAIST OF TIME- YOUR 35 YEARS EXPRESSING ART (on an island)? Long time now I’ve noticed a structural spiritual guide-line running through the inspirational works. (I’m holistic oriented since ‘70’s). It went from realistic- impressive still-life on to cultural expressions to surrealistic variations now. Before I used ink and acrylics, and then turned to oil to culminate into a mixed variation with materials like cloth and palm canvas in a mixed media after studying Conceptual Art in ’99 and 2000 at Art Academy Tilburg in Holland. I’m an undergraduate without degree - I’ve started with classes at an Art-school in ’79 in Eindhoven and continued visiting here frequently after it became ‘Academie voor Schone Kunsten during 80’s-‘90’s. In these times I was traveling quite a lot from Curacao to Europe. I’ve also stayed many years in Bonaire to help developing Art-structure and in between entered the Art Student League in U.S for more studies. On the whole I’ve specialized in Fine Art-Textile and Photography. Before and after millennium I’ve done numerous solo exhibits plus participating with Craft shows inside Caribbean. Although some people and few in family would remark on ‘risking my live on Art’, still I’d defend myself boldly. As a matter of fact my art ship comes from Dutch family- Painters starting 1880 while from Winward islands -Creole descendant families are handcrafters. I do both works and give education in these as well. Nevertheless I have to admit that it’s not
enough living on Art only; gradually I took Holistic therapy studies in between to maintain my life financially. If I can mention the influence within Art groups and Galleries as well with Western domination I experience access -barriers –you could feel being abandoned, but I’ve learned that an artist has to believe in its own strength and go for growth. Takes time to understand this. WHY YOU (still) BELIEVE IN EXPRESSING TO- OR IMPRESS OTHERS? It’s a way of interacting spiritually with your creation because of self-reliance and finding other resources to connect. Networking gives a great space but simultaneously from Art-Culture and Writing and doing other Art locally comes most inspirations. Other Interests are from diversity ethnic- groups and politics – boost up with the inside world of criticism and discussions. That’s a way of feeling fulfillment - debating as Artist while do Prose-writing as well. I’ve learned to admire Caribbean writers. WHAT CHANGES YOU WANT TO BRING IN YOUR ART? I’d like an intuitively dynamism within my subjects. Boldly emerge myself with bright/pastel colorsforms-patterns and figures into striking perspectives using figurative. Bigger Art works next to making installation-works (recycle- and mix art). I keep doing small works and crafts purely to maintain my expenses. Furthermore I’d like to participate more in outdoor activities-work more on Art Assignment and Exhibits/ Residency Projects with Workshops and Lectures. Are your paintings reflecting same messages as in your Prose? It depends whether on a research-work or having moody instincts. From last exhibit ‘Rastro’(track between Holland-Antilles) 2014– nothing of interest appeared as a striking feeling to go translate in Prose/Poems;. It sometimes occurs that words appear before the perspective-image. Other times the images come in ways of pure Instinct –dreams or exclamations to the world. Most are still Metaphysical sense of humor – an instinct promptly gets into urge for writing.
tenholt
WHAT IS YOUR NEXT STEP? Produce a Prose-bundle with illustrations where I started connecting with institutions in Curacao and Surinam for eventual corrections and modes. I need sponsors for the printing. Prepare for an outdoors exhibition. It’s time for new materials like oil paints, batik colors and rolls of canvas and so forth. My effort is still there finding space and recognition to continue working.
Are you working on a constant basis? Yes, although there are no Government Grants that protect Artist financially to stay focus on Fine-Art as self-supporter. In Holland during my studies I did get a grant and lived from it. That was in my fifties. So willingly I’ll have to keep organizing workshops-give free-lance therapeutic massages-attend the art-craft market at Alma Blou. Attain contact next to interviews and writings are necessary. Little courage comes from organizations that give sponsor to Artexpressions and to pay the artist to give the lessons. On the other hand, new workshop-ideas get into other hands instead explore it yourself. Nevertheless I’m contented with few sponsors. Are you being asked frequently for lecture or give education to group, school or organization? Since two years it seems more difficult; So many artists in a small society that struggles with its assets. There are Galleries and Cultural centers that had closed down. Ties with groups get smaller for their own profit. I’m being asked for schools and Cultural events but since recent I organize myself and try to get sponsor or give workshops for free. Most organizations are purely for business asking for rent and others charge high prize for preparing the event. Are you concerned about your future art? Nevertheless the hurdles in life, the most important is that I’m working and constantly have new ideas. There is always a way and 35 years of being busy had given me a lot of courage to proceed. But I do need the money. I do sell paintings once a while. Smaller worksreproductions and crafts like the jewelries go more frequently- as well the free-lance therapy works. I’ll have to maintain a healthy life to proceed- I turned 62. All my life attending Yogastretching keeps me good. There is no large pension ‘because I’ve lived in Holland and Bonaire. How would you picture you as artist within your society? Many know me or see me too self reliant or think I still live abroad while I’m constant here. Now I try to be frequently in picture. Sometimes I’m asked to join with a show-other times it seems as not enough. The latest eye-catcher was with the ABC-artists-group-exhibit ‘Rastro’’from Lower islands. The exhibit went to Aruba first, than Curacao- finally Bonaire. Than in 2013 there was ‘Carifesta’ in Surinam- as visual artist with Dept of Culture-Sports & Education with Folklore dance-group- and Drama. My enthusiasm about the experience went into a booklet afterwards.
Integration
Bondage