Surprising exhibition by Marrit Westerhuis with stills and storyboards
About this activity.
Marrit Westerhuis (Marum 2000) actually had no intention of going to art school. “I loved drawing; it was even part of my curriculum in high school, and I used it to express my emotions and feelings. But I wanted to pursue an education that would allow me to earn a living,” she explains, “and I lacked the confidence in my drawings to fully commit to a creative profession. So I left for Leeuwarden to become a forensic investigator. But very gradually, as the course progressed, I began to feel uneasy. I felt less and less at home in biotechnology and among my fellow students, and eventually, I dropped out of the program. During my graduation internship, no less!” she says with a grin.
Before subsequently attending the art academy in Groningen, she worked for a year. In the meantime, she was prepared for Minerva through workshops and with the support of the drawing teacher with whom she had previously taken lessons for many years. Moreover, she went to Minerva’s junior academy once a week to see if art was actually for her, because she didn't want to drop out of a program again before reaching the finish line.
But this time, she was on the right track. She chose design as her specialization and immersed herself in illustration and animation, including anime and manga, which she had already been heavily involved with as a teenager.
“Becoming an autonomous artist, where you decide for yourself what you make and then try to sell it, was too vague for me. I need deadlines and structure, enjoy working on commission, and love communicating with others.”
Minerva offered all kinds of workshops, which enabled Marrit to develop into a versatile artist. She learned felting and used it to create abstract artworks for the wall. What also fascinates her is printing photos herself using plants and everyday household materials. “Pigments from plants are more sustainable, and that gives me extra satisfaction.”
For her, art does not have to be non-committal and merely decorative. She likes to add something extra to it. For example, a project close to her heart is a short video game she created. In it, the viewer steps into the shoes of a woman walking down the street at night. With her animation, she tries to convey that creepy feeling that every woman experiences when walking outside in the dark, and which men are often completely unaware of.
“That is what I love about video games,” Marrit says enthusiastically, “it has everything! People get completely absorbed in it, you can let them experience a certain emotion themselves, and you can subtly incorporate a message.”
Although she still has a year to go at Minerva, she is now so successful that she already has a number of commissions this summer. For instance, she has been asked to create an animation for the music of a Chilean music producer. And as if that weren't enough, she is also exhibiting in Zuidhorn starting July 12. Some of her felt works will be on display there, along with various still shots and storyboards of her animations. No idea what still shots and storyboards are? Then come take a look!
Cultureel Centrum Zuidhorn.
Location.
Cultureel Centrum Zuidhorn
Jellemaweg 3
9801CG Zuidhorn
www.cczuidhorn.nl/exposities/