Interview with Willem Hoeffnagel & Heidi Fitri
Firstly, thank you for graciously inviting us into your new studio space. It's truly impressive, and I can only imagine the creative energy that flows within those walls. How does it feel to be collaborating in such a spacious and inspiring environment? Do you find that you inspire each other artistically?
WH: You’re always welcome! Yes it is very inspiring actually. Moving into this space last summer really helped us both. Even when Heidi is working in her space with the door closed and I’m working on a painting on my side of the studio, it’s still motivating to know we’re both there and it sort of pushes and motivates each other to keep going. Sometimes we ask each other for feedback or share some ideas, it’s quite nice.
HF: We are so happy to have you guys visit! As Willem mentioned, when I work I close my door to the ceramic room and I just zone out. But knowing we’re in the same space gives me a great deal of peace. Alone together, almost. I hear a knock on my door every now and then for the feedbacks and ideas Willem mentioned. And I told him to always take his shoes off before coming in because there’s always charcoal imprint on his shoes! 😉 I’d go out to his space and do the same. It’s nice to know I can go out the room and have a broodje or two with him.
Heidi, coming from Bogor, Indonesia, your journey to the Netherlands must have been quite an adventure. Can you share with us when you made the move? Additionally, I've had the pleasure of listening to your music, particularly "Soon Finland," which is truly captivating. Do you envision continuing your musical pursuits alongside your artistic endeavors?
HF: I always knew since I was young that I wanted to move out of the country. I wanted something different. So, the anticipation wasn’t as big as people expected since it has been my goal since I was a child. I moved here in 2019, I enrolled in ArtEZ Arnhem for the Fine Art BEAR program. I knew I wanted to study art, I knew I love The Netherlands, so it made the best sense at the time and it still is the best decision I have ever made in my life.
In terms of music, I will always continue to sing and to write songs. It is in many ways, my first love and my first medium. My voice, will always be an instrument for me to tell a story. So I will always continue until I can’t anymore. The same with telling stories with my hands through my visual works.
I understand you've recently completed your studies at Artez and have aspirations to pursue two master's degrees. Could you elaborate on your plans and what drives your academic pursuits?
HF: I have always been a learner. I am lucky enough to dive deep in artsitic research in my bachelor’s program, I’m in love with trying to understand something, trying to find a place where my art can stand. I’m passionate in self expression, and research has helped me do that for myself and also giving voice to others. I read a lot, I’m a maniac when it comes to reading, same with writing. So it’s only natural for me to crave more knowledge for me to strengthen not just my art but also my personal perspective on the world.
Heidi, your ceramics work is both intricate and emotive. I've read that it's a homage to your mother and your passion for food. Could you delve into the inspiration behind this aspect of your artistry?
HF: For my finals, I made a dining table installation filled with ceramic food that my mother used to make me when I was back in Indonesia. It was an homage for motherhood, to the unseen labor that mothers do, for immigrants and the simple joy of life in tasting everyday food. I tried to preserve the food, hence the ceramic, for it to stay forever. To be a symbol of love and womanhood, to finally pay my mother back for all the work she had done for me beyond cooking. I tend to do this with my work, I try to create layers and tell stories from something so simple. Whether it’s a crying face or a fake ceramic dildo. At the end of the day, all is love and love is all. Here’s to mothers.
Willem, it's been three years since your first exhibition in Miami, which was followed by your debut in the Netherlands at KunstRAI. How has your artistic journey evolved since then? Have you noticed significant changes in your work? Is there a particular exhibition you're especially proud of?
WH: My first solo exhibition actually was in NYC with Padre Gallery, shortly after that it was Miami. Looking back I can tell a lot has changed, improved or evolved. Not sure what to call it. We spoke earlier about how I am a big believer in the benefit of repetition when working. That doesn’t mean necessarily doing the exact same subject over and over again but for me it means staying close to what you are most interested in, getting closer to what it could all be about and refining your style. I really do see the steps better looking back then when i’m in it.
Willem Hoeffnagel - A Little Help, 2024 and Time Off, 2024
Your works showcased at KunstRAI this year seem to focus on human emotions and interactions, capturing moments of comfort, support, and joy. It's incredibly moving to see how your art celebrates the power of connection. Are there any upcoming exhibitions you're eagerly anticipating?
WH: Yes, obviously being part of KunstRAI is huge. Sharing a booth with Heidi is a big milestone. We’ve been wanting to do something together for a while now. Besides that, I have some big shows lined up for this year, I can’t share too much at the moment but announcements will come soon. It’s very exciting to work towards these shows and I feel really good about the direction of the works. I think the theme i’m touching on for KunstRAI is always a constant in my work and I’m looking to explore it more.
Both of you, what's your favorite food? And could you share with us the best movie you've watched together? Lastly, do you remember the first artwork you ever created?
WH: It’s really hard to pick, but the first dish that comes to mind is my mom’s pasta with creamy pesto sauce and pieces of tenderloin. Other than that generally i love the Italian and Indonesian kitchen the most.
The first artwork I ever created is tough to recall. But I do remember the first ‘real’paintings I made (the first on a stretched canvas I mean in this case) were made in the basement. I was just a little boy at this point and sometimes I would join my mom who painted sometimes. I often painted snails, would write my name or just some cartoon-y characters. I remember I was always frustrated that the paint wouldn’t dry quick enough, even though it was acrylic paint, so i would get frustrated and stop. Only to come back to it some weeks later and try again.
HF: We talked about this a great deal. Both the movies and the food. My favorite food would be my mom’s signature fried chicken with bakwan udang, which is a corn and shrimp fritters. Served with warm white rice, always.
For the movie, we picked Cmon Cmon, played by Joaquin Phoenix. The movie captured such a tender emotion, vulnerability, strenght and connection. Though I have to say, the first movie we watched together was About Time. It was our first movie night in my old student room, that was the first time I saw Willem cry. So, it was a special movie for me. And to be honest I have no idea what I made as my first artwork, but I painted a great deal of mountains and a sun as a child, so probably those!
The concept of a joint exhibition around the theme of Love sounds intriguing. Could you provide some insight into this idea? Perhaps it could be a compelling project to present at Untitled in Miami. What are your thoughts?
WH: It wouldn’t necessarily have to be love, it could be anything. We’ve been floating this idea about doing a duo show of some sort one day, and we would probably do something that Heidi calls “word for word”. Choosing a bunch of words and showing our individual interpretations of those words in our work. I guess it could be seen as a pretty standard art excercise but we like that about it. It could potentially result in some intruiging works. It needs to happen somehow, somewhere for sure!
