Contentious

I am participating in the exhibition DWARS at galerie Nasty Alice in Eindhoven.
From January 5th till February 16th 2013
Opening: January 5, 2013, 4 - 8 PM
St Antoniusstraat 10, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
 
6 artists and designers are showing their work.
Hip, contemporary and contentious (that's what the gallery says!).

Jean Michel Crapanzano 
Sebastiaan Dijk

Niels Heymans
Manita Kieft

Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk
Emilie Pallard.

http://www.galerienastyalice.nl/

DWARS means contrary or wayward.

And a tiny Ming vase

This is my new ceramic sculpture in the Dragons of Ming series.
It came out of the kiln earlier this week.
The sculpture is on display right now, together with The Dragons of Ming vase and my series of small dragons (both see previous posts), at Heden, art gallery and art library, The Hague (Den Haag). 
Bigger pictures (and even more details):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pepijn-van-den-nieuwendijk/
For visitors, Heden is located in a very beautiful part of the old city centre of The Hague (the street is called Denneweg), nearby the Dutch houses of parliament (Binnenhof) and the Mauritshuis (The Royal Picture Gallery).
www.heden.nl

Little fellows

The dragons of Ming series for sale!

Making these little ceramic fellows gives me great pleasure. They are dragons, but then the friendly kind. Although, some may look slightly grumpy. They float in water, they stand on a rock, in the clouds or in the fire.
http://cirquedepepin.blogspot.nl/2012/11/and-even-more-dragons-of-ming.html
I make 50 pieces. And they are all different.
Approximately 15 cm high, slipcast ceramic, handpainted by me.

From tomorrow they are on sale at Heden, The Hague (for a very good price). 
Soon more pictures!

If you want to purchase one of these Dragons of Ming, please contact Heden:
www.heden.nl

The Dragons of Ming

A couple of days ago my vase "The Dragons of Ming" came out of the kiln. And this is the result (see previous post)! And I'm very happy with how it looks.

A chilly day in November at Struktuur 68

Painting the dragon vase is almost ready (see previous post). This week I will put it in the kiln, and then next Monday I see the final result!!! I am very very curious!
Some recent work-in-progress pictures, at Struktuur 68, below.

And even more Dragons of Ming

At this moment I make 50 new small ceramic 'Dragons of Ming'. They are commissioned by Heden, art gallery and art library in my hometown The Hague. Every dragon is placed on a little island.
In december there will be a small presentation at Heden and the dragons will be for sale from then!
And while I talk about dragons.... I am working on a project that I wanted to do for a long time (and I had no time for): glazing my large dragon vase, see ancient post on the Dragons of Ming http://cirquedepepin.blogspot.nl/2012/01/dragons-of-ming.html
This one is probably going to be one of my most detailed ceramic pieces.
 
More information on Heden: http://www.heden.nl/ 

I will soon post more information about the Dragons of Ming.
Below there is a picture of a new sculpture as well (still unglazed).

Bats in the back wall

In the October issue of the Dutch ceramic magazine 'Keramiek' from the Dutch Ceramists Association, there is an special on Dutch artists working in China. In this special there is an interview with me as well. I am talking about my experience with working in China (at the Fule International Art Museum, FLICAM, Fuping 2008, and Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute Jingdezhen in 2010), lovely Sanbao with bats in the back wall of my studio and overlooking the rice fields (and bamboo forested hills) , and about my love for archaeology, and Ming porcelain shards.
The picture below is my ceramic sculpture 'The awakening of the Mouse' at FLICAM, Fuping.
Some other artists in this China special are Hans van Bentem, Adriaan Rees, Tineke van Gils and Pauline Wiertz a.o.
If I have time, I will translate the article into English....................

New Dragons of Ming and Perpetua Porseline

Perpetua Porseline at museum Prinsenhof Delft

The large 3,50 meter high vase "Perpetua Porseline" that I painted in Jingdezhen in 2010 is going to be part of the exhibition "Delfts Blauw. Kunst of Kitsch" at museum Prinsenhof in Delft.
This exhibition opens on Friday October 26, and ends September 1, 2013.
More information:
Museum Prinsenhof Delft

Dragons of Ming 

I've made ​​new little ceramic "Dragons of Ming". They are a part of the exhibition "Gathered through Facebook" at atelier Horneman.
The exhibition showing work of 45 artist (!) starts Sunday October 28, 4 PM
Atelier Horneman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Now for Something Completely Different: big in China II (Crunching computers and ridiculously large files)

Last week the 2012 China Jingdezhen International Ceramic fair started.
Like in 2010 and 2011 I did the graphic design for the Delft - Jingdezhen 400 years city connection stand at this fair. This year with the work of Dutch artists Hugo Kaagman and Chris Dagradi. These two artists are on a residency this month at Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute in Jingdezhen.

My poor old little laptop has worked overtime on the BIG files.
In the first picture below you see a large billboard that I made.

This is what I did in 2011 (with my own illustrations):
http://cirquedepepin.blogspot.nl/2011/10/big-in-china.html

And this is the design that I did for the 2010 stand (in 2010 I also did a residency at Sanbao ceramic institute).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pepijn-van-den-nieuwendijk/6438445839/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pepijn-van-den-nieuwendijk/5368129788/in/set-72157625729443793/

Der bärtige Kaiser

My "Der bärtige Kaiser " sculpture/vase is on display at the new gallery Nasty Alice (and two of my paintings as well).
www.galerienastyalice.nl

Opening: September 29th 2012

Participating artists:
Jolanda Moolenaar
Erik Klaassen
Dorien Plaat
Marianne van Heeswijk
Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk
Jeroen Kool
Ilze Buziau
Thalia de Jong
Zan van Alderwegen
Tom Boekema

Maintenant, je suis dans le magazine français sur l'art, HEY!

Wow! The mailman just came by at the Cirque de Pepin studio with a very nice package: the French bilingual (FR/ENG) Art magazine HEY!. And I am featured in this magazine with my paintings and sculptures, and an interview!

This is the official HEY! magazine website:
http://www.heyheyhey.fr/fr

And you can buy HEY! magazine overhere:
http://www.ankama-shop.com/fr/h8-livres/1404-hey-11

 

Oriental domes in Transvaal

This week in the early morning between Tuesday and Wednesday at 1 AM I put my last brushstroke on the "Ganesha's gate" ceiling painting for "De Orient" domes in the Transvaal neighborhood, The Hague.
The same morning at 7 AM the Scaffold builders came to remove the scaffolds.
Now I was able to see the ceilings completely. I am very happy with the result.
Soon there are lamps placed in the domes.
Here are some pictures of the work in progress and the finished domes.
Now we need good light and a professional photographer (and better weather).

Production by Mothership: http://enterthemothership.com
The architects of The Orient: http://www.wam-architecten.nl

In an Oriental mood with lacquer paint and a paint mask.

Work on the three domes in new residential complex 'De Oriënt' (see previous post) progresses smoothly. Since last week I have a talented trainee who helps me one day in the week with the work. Sometimes it is difficult to work upon the scaffolds when the weather is stormy, but it is settled weather now. It is a great challenge because it is the first time I work with lacquer paint, in this case special paint for boats because the domes are made of Polyester.
On the pictures work in progress this month. The designs are based on ancient Hindu and Islamic miniatures from India and the Mughal empire, the Ottoman empire and the Persian Empire etc.

Production by Mothership: http://enterthemothership.com
The architects of The Orient: http://www.wam-architecten.nl

Liefs, Vermeer (and waiting until the rain to stops) II

And this is the final result, just out of the kiln Vermeer's wedding plate Anno 1653 (Porcelain, kobalt blue). I am painting two more porcelain plates for this exhibition.

Thanks to Tineke van Gils, she has made the plate and she is organising the exhibition.

http://www.liefsvermeer.nl/

Oriental domes

The scaffolds are installed. Just started cleaning, degreasing, and applying the primer.  

Next week I can finally start painting!

http://www.enterthemothership.com/en/nieuwsbrieven/

See previous post "Orient goes Oriental".

Liefs, Vermeer (and waiting until the rain to stops)

While waiting for a new project to start (see previous post "Oriënt goes oriëntal"... I just can not start because it rains all the time!) I am working on artworks for a upcoming groupshow about the love and marriage of the painter Vermeer. The exhibition will be held in the old church where Johannes Vermeer married his wife Catharina Bolnes in 1653.

I just finished painting the Vermeer wedding plate. In the old spelling, "getrouwd" (married) is written with an "t" on the end like they usually did in the 17th century.

Participating artists (from the Netherlands and China, because some of the artist are involved in the "Delft-Jingdezhen 400 years Exchange" project):

Jeroen Bechtold, Janneke Bruines,
Tineke van Gils, Peter Hiemstra,
Pauline Hoeboer, Netty Janssens,
Jeannet Klement, Jackson Li, Li Libo,
Wan Li Ya, Inge van de Louw, Sarah Michael,
Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk, Adriaan Rees,
Marjan de Voogd, Karin van de Walle,
Pauline Wiertz

In Op Hodenpijl, Schipluiden en Vermeer Centrum Delft
1th till 30th September 2012

More information:

http://www.liefsvermeer.nl/

http://www.essentialvermeer.com/delft/delft_today/schipluiden/schipluiden.html

http://www.chinatimes.nl/en/lifestyle/culture/338-400-years-exchange-delft-jingdezhen

Indigo Monster La Lanta Bangkok opening

The opening of my Indigo Monster exhibition last week at La Lanta Fine Art in Bangkok was a great succes. Shin Koyama, Vipoo Srivilasa and myself had a great time. 

Many thanks to Fon from La Lanta, and Mr. H.E. James Wise, Australia's ambassador to Thailand and all the many visitors for the wonderfull evening we had.  

And even the Bangkok media wrote about it:

http://www.bangkokscene.com/articles/122

www.lalanta.com

And here the little Indigo Monster book I made for the exhibition, it arrived just on time one day before the opening.

Oriënt goes Oriëntal

There are many visible characteristics to be found in Era Contour’s new residential complex ‘De Oriënt’ in The Hague, that remind one of the Far East. For instance, on the inner courtyard there are three striking domes whose ceilings will be painted in a typical Eastern style by Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk. The design for the domes’ ceilings come fromworkshops to be given for future residents and people from the neighbourhood. Pepijn, who supervises the workshops, selects a number of designs that will be included in his paintings. In this way the creativity of the future Orient residents flows back into the building project, and Era Contour and its partners demonstrate that they support a high-quality living environment in their housing complexes.

Commissioned by Era Contour, Mothership acted as producer. With thanks to Bianca Seekles.

http://www.enterthemothership.com/en/nieuwsbrieven/
www.eracontour.nl

Finished Fini Vollendet: Dragon boxes for Accezz

My 25 ceramic boxes and 25 ceramic dragons are finally ready!!! Finished fini vollendet etc. and therefore nicely in time for the deadline. 

Indigo Monster Bangkok

The official information and the invitation card for my upcoming Indigo Monster show in Bangkok starting the end of this month:

 

Collaborative watercolour paintings by

IMP (International Monster Project):

Shin Koyama Japan/Australia

Vipoo Srivilasa Thailand/Australia

Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk The Netherlands

Saturday, June 30, 2012
7 - 9 pm

The exhibition will be presided over by H.E. James Wise,
Australia’s Ambassador to Thailand

RSVP | info@lalanta.com | 02 204 0583

Online exhibition www.lalanta.com
Exhibition on display until August 1, 2012

La Lanta Fine Art
245/14 Sukhumvit soi 31
Sukhumvit Road,
Klongtan Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110

And here is the story of Indigo monster.

Indigo Monsters is a collaborative exhibition between three artists, Vipoo Srivilasa
(Thai/Australia), Shin Koyama (Japan) and Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk (The
Netherlands). It is a result of the International Monster Project (IMP) which began in
October 2010 when the three artists first met at the capital city of blue and white
porcelain, Jingdezhen, China. Here, they worked collaboratively to celebrate their
shared passion for porcelain and the colour of white and blue.
International Monsters Project was born when Vipoo invited Shin and Pepijn to play
the exquisite corpse game using ceramic tiles. The game is a method by which a
collection of images is collectively assembled. Each collaborator adds to a
composition in sequence. The artists had chosen monsters as their subject due to
the strong traditional and local connotations, as well as a powerful global
contemporary resonance.
Under the monster theme, Vipoo gave three tiles to each artists and asked them to
paint a monster head, a monster torso and a monster leg. After the tiles were fired
the artists came together to mix their monsters up and their first collaboration was
complete - three unique monsters made from nine different sections by three
different artists.
In 2011, for their next collaboration, the artists decided to embark on a more
ambitious work, Indigo Monsters. Using the same exquisite corpse game technique,
the artists created blue and white monster sections on paper and then posted them
on to the next artist to add more sections, until the complete monster appears.
Indigo Monsters will culminate in an exhibition at La Lanta Fine Art, Bangkok in July
of 2012 and will then be traveling to Japan, The Netherlands and Australia.
By revitalising the historical ties that connect Holland with both Japan and Thailand,
the artists aims to investigate different ways to trade ideas between the three
cultures. In this sense International Monsters Project is a response to the seismic
power shift taking place, from the west to the east. It is also a model for how artists
can address the economic, cultural and environmental monsters to which this shift
is giving birth.

Accezz and the Dragonbox

This is a video made about Accezz International, the company where I make the little Dragons-in-boxes for (see previous posts). The video is made at Struktuur 68 studio in Den Haag. In the video you see me at work creating the boxes and painting the dragons (I think I look maybe a bit too serious and focused while painting the dragon, never realised that I look grumpy when I am concentrated).  
Video concept by Ivo Wauben, directed by Ramses Singeling.

Man makes monsters at midnight

I'm working on the design for the invitation card for the 'Indigo monster' show at La Lanta, Bangkok starting the end of June.

We have a Facebook page now: http://www.facebook.com/InternationalMonsterProject

25 little dragons

This month I am finishing the first dragons-in-boxes (see previous post February 17, 2012). Almost all the slipcasting has been done now, and I just started glazing them. On the second picture there is also a little monster for my upcoming "Indigo Monster" show at La Lanta gallery in Bangkok, together with Vipoo Srivilasa and Shin Koyama.