MUNTHE ART MONDAY: CECIL KEMPERINK

Please introduce yourself and tell us about what you do.

’My works are performances in pause, sculptures waiting to move’.

My name is Cecil Kemperink. I am an artist living and working in The Netherlands. I create with clay, a product of our earth. My works consist of hundreds of hand-formed clay circles, each individually connected to one another.

My sculptures are the connection of my multi-faceted background in art, dance, textile and fashion. I explore the concept of 'space' and ‘body’, and play with rhythm, shape, sound, movement and energy.

Inspired by the ongoing movements in nature, like the wind, the tides, breathing… I am working with utmost attention in an instinctive way with the earthly clay, embracing time and energy. The constant consideration is the boundary between shape and reshape, solid and movements, vulnerability and strength. The sculptures are very strong and at the same time vulnerable; like we humans are…

I am very passionate in my art: when I am in my studio, connected with myself, the energy flows. That makes me feel very lucky, grateful and happy.

Cecil is wearing Lelouis pants and Lillian vest.

Can you name some other female (artist) that inspires you and explain why they do so?

I feel a kind of sisterhood with female artist. Isadora Duncan (dancer), she inspires me to follow my heart, to follow my instincts.

Marina Abramovic, she inspires me to think and act BIG. Magdalena Abakanowicz, her investigation of material and sizes is an inspiration for me.

Could you explain more about how being a woman has affected your career?

It taught me about perseverance and the power within myself to create. To be connected to my true self, with respect for our Earth and all her inhabitants. The feeling of not being taken (completely) seriously has almost disappeared. These days, I'm mostly grounded and living more and more in the moment.

Cecil is wearing Lelouis pants and Lillian vest.

What would you like people to notice in your artwork?

We are connected, everything is connected.

About communication: you are part of it.

When you move my sculpture, the sculpture moves you. A pas de deux—me/you and my work, moving in synchrony, one responding to the other; let the sculptures surprise you.

The important symbolism of a circle, unity, infinity, and power is present in every part of my work! It gets even more intense with each new circle that is connected. Leaning on each other, guiding or supporting circles; they're all connected. It symbolizes every group you're part of: everyone matters, we all participate, and we all create together.

Cecil is wearing Lelouis pants.

What has been the most challenging aspect of being a woman in the arts?

To find and take the time to develop my work, and also focusing and taking care of my family. When my children grew older, I joined a ceramics collective. This offered more technical opportunities, a larger studio, and colleagues to work with, to discuss our work, and to be part of a woman art group where we faced similar challenges. Collaborative structures were developed. It took many years to develop my practice into a healthy business. For the past ten years, I've been asked to participate in exhibitions, commissions, and other projects. I no longer have to "hunt"; it comes to me. I'm on my path.

I feel the winds are changing for female artists. Thank you for your Munthe Art Monday project This is definitely helpful!!

Cecil is wearing Lelouis pants and Lillian vest.