For OSCAM'S second art exhibition in their new location, Patta curators Violette Esmeralda (head of photography) and Lee Stuart (brand director) have selected a variety of artists from Gilleam Trapenberg, Wes Mapes, Stacii Samidin, Serana Angelista, Shertise Solano, Jeanpaul Paula to Dion Rosina. The show has closed due to COVID-19 safety measures, but we still feel you should get to know all participating artists. Next up: Dion Rosina.
Hi Dion, as a quick introduction to our readers,
who are you and how would you describe your art?
I’m Dion Rosina, I’m a visual artist who makes work based on photos. Collecting and archiving photos from different time periods are an important part of my creation process, as these are the starting points for a work. In my work there are usually figures that appear to be in a psychologically charged environment with an indefinable context.
I investigate the ways in which I can interpret my found photos and create a new image with a different ambiance. With aesthetics I try to catch the eye of the viewer, but through suggestiveness and subtle references I reflect on different themes.
I don’t want too much clarity in my work. I want riddles that don't need a certain solution. In my work I show some recognisable images. But not too much. I want to leave things open.
How did your relationship with art begin?
The first contact with art was seeing my father's drawings. He always drew faces en profile. At a certain point I started imitating that. From my imagination I also started to draw faces on every paper I came across. The face is something that fascinates me to this day, I think this can be seen in my work.
What do you feel an artist needs to add on a cultural level?
I find it fascinating when the artist pushes the 'limits' of his fascinations and depicts them in his work. I think that your work can automatically add to culture. If your work can subsequently appeal to a diverse audience, I find that interesting.
What messages are you trying to convey to your audience through your art?
Everyday we get to see all kinds of images through different channels and some images we consistently don’t see. However, they are there and I search for them to use in my work. Because I am partly dependent on that, my relationship to these images is very important. It is a big factor that can determine how the viewer experiences my work.
Please explain your creative process.
My creative process starts with the photos that I collect. A photo is often the reason for creating a visual work. I always print the photos and select the ones who have an interesting relationship with each other. Here I look, for example, at form, composition and as for faces, I also look at expression. At the same time, I usually already have an idea of what the images convey to me and what I want to do with the image. Depending on the moment, I cut out the images and I create collages to use it as a reference or I use the printed photo directly as a reference for a work that I will make.
While creating I like to listen to abstract music.
What is your favourite part about being a painter?
I do not label myself as a painter, although it is the foundation of my artistry. In addition to painting, I also draw and make collages and perhaps more will be added in the future. When I change the question to "What is your favourite part about being an artist?"
The infinity of the search for new knowledge, the (learning) process, the satisfaction of creating and the intimacy that I experience with images are my favourite aspects of being an artist.
What is the hardest part of being an artist?
I think this is very dependent on the phase the artist finds himself in. For me, at the moment I think it is a shame that there are too few hours in a day to do my work.
What part is the most rewarding?
The most rewarding is when you have decided that a work is good and that you can start to appreciate it. In addition, the appreciation that a viewer shares about your work is also very rewarding.
How did you get linked to Patta?
Lee Stuart approached me on Instagram and asked me if I wanted to be part of the exhibition that he was going to put together. I feel honoured!
What advice would you give to young artists trying to find their voice?
Create as much as possible. Investigate your fascinations and explore their limits and be obsessive. Trust the process and interpret comments/criticism from others in such a way that they serve you and your work.
What does the following quote mean to you?
“We will be here forever
Do you understand?
Forever
Forever and ever
And ever and ever
We will be here forever
Do you understand that?
Get what I'm saying
Forever!"
This quote has several meanings for me, it is the chant of a group that announces its existence that you will be dealing with forever, whether you want to or not. In addition, for me it is a reference to Hip-Hop, something that can exist forever because it is not a physical entity.
