Ateliers is an ongoing project portraying contemporary artists Belgium-based, from my age group, Generation Y.

These images are only a small selection of the project. 

‘Throughout the centuries, the concept of the artist’s studio has shifted from a place of production to a space for creation. From the Renaissance workshop to the modernist atelier, the studio has played a significant role in shaping the development of art and artists.

The slow process of creating art in the studio is in serious contrast to the quick pace of the art market (gallery shows and fairs). This contrast makes the studio even more fascinating and valuable, as it offers a glimpse into the artist’s creative process. During exhibitions and fairs, the focus is on the finished artwork, while I believe that the space and the artist themselves should also be highlighted. The studio might end up to reveal much more about the work than the work itself. Per definition, a studio is designed for creative exploration.

The studio is not just a place to make art, but a place to think and reflect. An artist’s process can be highly intuitive and process-based. The studio provides space and resources without the pressure of deadlines or the scrunity of an audience, it can act as an extension of the artistic vision.

The contemporary art world has a fixation on the final product, the artwork, but the process and the space in which the artist creates their work are essential links in understanding and appreciating the work itself. An artist’s studio is not just a workspace but often a sacred place, a place of creation and inspiration. For many artists, their studio is their sanctuary, and it is here where they bring their ideas to life.

Studio visits are an excellent opportunity to get to know artists and engage in dialogue with them. Some artists’ work is immediately recognizable, but their workspace remains somewhat mysterious. This only adds to the excitement of a studio visit, as it offers a unique chance to get to know the artist and their work. This project aims to address the significance of contemporary artists and their studios.

In the Renaissance, the artist’s studio was typically a private space where an artist would work with a small group of apprentices. The focus was on the mastery of craft and technical skill, as well as the creation of works that reflected the ideals of the time.

With the advent of the modern era, artists began to experiment with new mediums and techniques, and the concept of the artist’s studio shifted once again. The Impressionists, for example, preferred to work en plein air, capturing the fleeting effects of light and color in their paintings. This shift towards working outdoors marked a departure from the traditional studio setting, as artists sought to capture the world around them in new and innovative ways.

As technology has advanced, the artist’s studio has continued to evolve. In the 20th and 21st centuries, artists have experimented with new materials, such as film and digital media, and have incorporated these mediums into their practice. The studio became not only a space for art production, but also for social interaction and experimentation and pushed boundaries of what art could be.

The artist’s studio symbolizes a shift from the solitary, romantic notion of the artist to a more collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to making art.’

Final texts will be published in a later stage.

All writing credits: Astrid Vereycken and Dominic van den Boogerd.