We first met Hanna Ten Doornkaat at her collaborative exhibition at Gallery 46 Whitechapel in 2022. Since then, she has been one of the most enthusiastic and dedicated artists we've ever encountered. We were particularly impressed by her passion and dedication to her craft.
Hanna's works are filled with objects she has found and discovered on the streets and everywhere else. Her work often feels spontaneous, but it is her discoveries that create meaning and value in everything she touches. She is incredibly brave in exploring different materials and has never stopped her journey of experimentation.
Her interest in and fearlessness toward different materials stem from her childhood, influenced by her father, who was a carpenter and owned a factory filled with materials that served as her playground.
To begin this journey, it was a pleasure spending time with Hanna in her special studio, discussing her work and artistic journey.
Happy accident
Hanna's work is layered and intricate, with an unexpected final result. She admits that she doesn't always know where the process will lead her. The work becomes a journey of discovery for both her and the viewer. She starts a piece without a clear ending in mind, allowing the work to evolve organically. She waits for the work to react and constantly questions whether it is finished or needs more. If necessary, she adds another layer. Hanna's goal is to reach a point where the work takes over and guides her to the conclusion.
‘I actually want to get to a point! Where the works takes over and leads me to the end result.’
While the final piece may appear whole and complete, it is actually a patchwork of layers created over time. Different materials from various stages of the process are mixed and matched, building a rich and complex narrative. Surprisingly, the most interesting elements often arise from what Hanna calls "happy accidents." These unexpected, almost unnoticed details are what she finds most compelling in her work. They may seem like mistakes, but they can also be intentional elements that she didn't anticipate. By acquiring one of Hanna's works, you become part of an ongoing journey of discovery. Each time you view the piece, you may find new details and interpretations. This ongoing engagement is what truly matters to Hanna. Ultimately, Hanna creates herself through her art.
I'm addicted to it!
Art has been one of Hannah's primary means of self-expression, helping her overcome her fear of large crowds and discover herself. "I've never been a very confident person in front of an audience," she admits. "I always wanted to stay in the background."
However, during a performance in Germany a few years ago, she realised that art was a way for her to truly express herself and connect with others. She suddenly noticed herself becoming an artwork, rather than thinking of herself as performing in front of a crowd. She felt transported to another space and was able to overcome the insecurity that crowds can easily induce in many of us.
For many artists, the artistic process is a solitary journey. Hanna believes that this journey is about finding yourself every day and every moment. It involves reading, listening, and speaking to yourself. This process can become almost addictive, as you continuously strive to discover more about yourself. As Hannah puts it,
"I'm addicted to it! I'm driven to it."
For Hanna, creating something, making art, seems like a natural and everyday activity. As part of her ongoing journey of self-discovery, she approaches the creative process with a level of dedication that consistently encourages her to think, process, and express herself.
As a curator and an artist
Hanna is the curator and the co-founder of WhiteNoise project (@whitenoise_projects), where group of emerging and mid-career artists presents works and where projects respond to exhibition spaces that surpass the idea of white cube.
For her, space is also part of the exhibition. She looks at the space first and it will give her inspiration to how she would see the work in that space. For her, artists also need to engage with the space, not only about their works. She also insists with the whole experience of exhibiting an artwork includes the visitors who also needs to put an effort in seeing artworks. For Hannah, viewers are more an active participant who would need to be more active in the exhibition.
What fascinates us through the conversation with Hanna is her unending energy and ideas that spark subtle thoughts about who we are. It's not just about identity; it's about what we enjoy and how we can continue to enjoy doing it with the people we work with.
Written by Dr GeeSun Hahn
현, 4482 SASAPARI Curator
Fourth Chamber Projects Director
University of Leicester, Museum Studies, UK
Photo © Hanna ten Doornkaat
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