Bas Steens (1996), stage name Locks, studies Illustration and Animation in Breda and organises the Pop Up Art Tour in different places in the Netherlands, to get to know new places and people. This touring exhibition starts at VRIJDAG, and showcases his works, which are characterised by clean shapes, clear lines and heaps of positivity. Kunstspot called to find out more about this young all-rounder of an artist.
‘In the Art Tour, I expanded my style into newer forms. At one point, I was really bored with my style. Therefore, I tried new things: for example, I made 3D works. All my work fell pretty flat. Together with a friend of mine, Raoul Nieuwenhuis, I made 3D works in the program Maya, in which you can make digital sculptures. I saw my drawings come to life. From collaborations like that, you learn a lot from each other: for example, I look more at composition and colour, while he looks more at the technical side. You also notice that you work differently: Raoul starts working right away, while I find it better to start sketching. This way you can immediately see if something works in terms of shape and composition. I also worked quite a bit last year with my little brother, who works under the stage name YoungRubbi. He's studying Producing at the conservatory, so he's very much into music, whereas I'm very much into image. I can make a cover for his music; he can make a soundtrack for my animations. In this way, we can also help each other a lot.’
‘Tyler, the Creator is a great inspiration to me: he really builds a world around his art and doesn't limit himself to making music, but also makes fashion and film, for example. Pretty much an all-rounder. I do this a lot in my own work: in the exhibition, for example, I have a painting, a mural and a coat. These contain elements that recur in all three works. When you combine different types of art, they become much stronger together. I just got a new book by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Maya Angelou: Life Doesn't Frighten Me. They combine paintings and poems in it. I would love to work with a poet; I think this is a very nice combination. I'm curious to see what can happen there.’
‘AS AN ARTIST AND A PERSON, I WANT TO SHOW THAT WITH POSITIVITY YOU GET FARTHER IN LIFE.’ Locks
‘As an artist and a person, I want to show that with positivity you get farther in life. This message is also the common thread of the exhibition. I am very inspired by a quote from Scarface, “The World Is Yours.” This is also why my exhibition goes around the country, to motivate people to take their chances. From an early age, I noticed that if I thought positively, things would go better as well. For example, I had a friend with leukaemia. At first I thought very negatively about this. Later I started believing firmly that he was going to get better, and I repeated this to myself. It eventually happened. I ended up believing in positive thoughts as well: if I had thought all along that he wouldn't make it, I would have had a really bad time. It has to do with mindset: you can put yourself through a bad time when it's completely unnecessary. There is also no point in trying to be cheerful all the time: it is also important to be realistic and keep both feet on the ground. To allow all the emotions.’
Bas Steens alias Locks will be exhibiting until 23 January in the exhibition space De Kelder at VRIJDAG (Walstraat 34). On 18 January he will give an exclusive workshop. For more art and the next places the Art Tour is travelling to, see Locks' Instagram.
Text: Michiel Teeuw
Photos of exhibition: Bas Steens
Photo of Pez Dispenser: Peter Dicke