5 Things We Learned... Nonna Hoogland
Nonna Hoogland is an artist from Utrecht in the Netherlands. She caught our attention last year with her incredible end-of-year degree show exhibiting a series of provocative ceramic sculptures, all coyly playing with mythological tales and re-imagining gender roles. In her work, she tries to process and understand herself, and the world around her. That’s why humanity, and especially women, are always the main subject of her work. She focuses on emotions, relationships, ethics, (art)history, and mythology. Her work changes from poetic to cynical, from humorous to intimate, and always remains vulnerable in its honesty. She uses a variety of analog techniques, with a preference for painting and ceramics.
Here are 5 Things We Learned about Nonna.
What made you...you?
My parents created a very safe environment for me as a child. It was a very stable household. This gave me the space to explore my inner world: the deep emotions I felt and the big questions that ran through my head. It wasn’t always easy, my adolescence was quite tough mentally. But through time, I found a way to deal with the ‘heaviness’ that has always been a part of me. Art has always been the way I process everything, and it still is. That’s why I feel extremely blessed to be a full-time artist - I get to wander through my inner-world, professionally.
When are you happiest?
When I’m with my loved ones around the dinner table with good food, a bottle of wine - laughing and talking.
Would you rather have a muse or be a muse?
I would rather have a muse. It is wonderful to have such inspiration, and I think it can be very beautiful and intimate if that source is another person. But I wouldn’t mind being one too, after all, it’s not bad for your self-esteem.
Who do you admire?
I admire a lot of people for different reasons, but my number one is definitely Taylor Swift. A lot of people don’t expect this, but I’ve been a big fan of her music since I was eleven years old. As a young - and very sensitive - girl, she taught me my emotions were valid. She has built an empire and still remains so vulnerable, honest, and pure in her songwriting.
What is important?
Being kind to yourself and others.
Portrait and all images provided by courtesy of Nonna Hoogland
https://nonnahoogland.com/
