From the curator of the Red Bull Rooms back last year comes a new exhibition space for the more alternative side of art, the Your: Own Gallery.

Official opening:
YOUR:OWN Gallery
Oude Waal 35
19:00/22.00

The opening of this new gallery space, 26th March, is also the first day of illustration artist Gijs Kast’s exhibition.

Words about Gijs from Your:Own

Gijs Kast, his real name Gijs Huijgen, is the first artist at the YOUR:OWN gallery. Born in Weert, went on to studying Man & Communication in Eindhoven at the Design Academy, nowadays settled in Amsterdam. His self-released book ‘Bohnhase, a black guide’ (2008) was very well received and also led him to winning a Dutch Design award in 2009. The book was an overview of the people living in the ‘Doornakkers’ neighbourhood, a known problem area in Eindhoven. Gijs took it to himself to portray the people living in this area and created a yellow pages for their own created, sometimes shady, professions. Now Gijs is showing new work, continuing his series of portrayal but travelling all over the Netherlands and Belgium looking for new inspiration on low-brow events, out of sight shows, and forgotten fairs. His confronting, honest and raw illustrations lets you see behind the face of the person that is portrayed and tells his or her story.

Fresh out of design school you won an award for best illustration at the Dutch Design Awards. How was that experience?
It was a big surprise for me to win a Dutch Design Award. I actually didn’t even know there was an award for illustration and I never sent something in to the organization. That means i was ’scouted’ for the illustration award, it was a great honor! Usually there are only celebrated designers in the house and running for the prizes so i think it’s a good thing that they give prizes to young upcoming guys as well.

You travel all over the Netherlands and Belgium to find people to portray browsing fairs, shows and events. Where do you hear about these show?
I always go with photographer Boudewijn Bollmann. He also runs a websites called twisted streets (www.twistedstreets.nl) he has an exceptional good nose for these type of events. Together we think of nice shows we want to visit and hope to find another idea or person over there to visit next. Now that we’re doing this for a while we’re also starting to get good tips from friends who know about the project.

What is it that the persons you portray have in common?
You can see they have lived. They are not just a face, but there is a story that comes with it.

At what kind of places did you find yourself for this exhibition?
I visited a big dog show in Boskoop, near Alphen aan de Rijn, and found a funny lady who does smaller shows in Amsterdam. I stayed in touch with her and ended up at her place at one point. At her place she’s always making suits and props for her and her dog. I’ve also visited Mechelen, just below Antwerp, for the strongest man of Antwerp contest! Here i got to know a debutant contester and visited him at his home. My last trip was to a tractor pulling contest. I try to start at big and professional events and trough the people you meet you end up at the small, sort of improvised, hobby events.

I imagine a very vivid smell of sweat surrounding the man of Antwerp contest. What was it like being there?
These guys are hardcore and definitely smelly, but very friendly. What i like about them is that they don’t do it for the show, they just really want to be the strongest. Its not about the looks, but it’s all about the power! I also loved the sideshow with cheerleaders, especially when it started raining and they weren’t motivated anymore.

How do people react to you when you are drawing them?
Sometimes I make quick sketches, but i also take pictures to draw from later. At these events you have to catch a moment, and then a drawing takes to long. If I had a chat with somebody or visited their home I always send them the drawing later. Some like it, some don’t care.

Who are you still eager to portray? Where do plan on going next?
I want the continue this series and go to more shows! Strip clubs, magic shows, armwresteling contests and so much more.

YOUR:OWN / www.your-own.nl
a young contemporary art gallery
creatively supported by Red Bull

Monday/friday – 10.00-18.00
oude waal 35 / 1012 FW / Amsterdam
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YOUR:OWN – Artist agency
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Joe Holbrook  - www.joeholbrook.co.uk
Joost Stokhof – www.thethingsweare.com
Lil’ Shy      - www.lilshy.net
Pinkyvision   – www.pinkyvision.com