This spring SuperLounge paid a visit to Galerie Aronowitsch in Stockholm to experience Matthias van Arkel´s fifth exhibition at Aronowitsch, "Closer". A month earlier, we had seen Matthias in action making an exciting wall–painting at the Stockholm furniture fair. The painting was made on one wall of the Bogesunds stand as they were presenting their very first "Artist Collection", consisting of the interior textiles "Spray" and "Monochrome", accidentally designed by the very same Matthias van Arkel.
After these special encounters with Matthias van Arkel´s art, we met at his Studio on Kungsholmen in Stockholm to know more about his way of working and his driving forces as a contemporary artist. What made him become an artist in the first place? "My father was an artist, a painter, and I had the impression that this was a profession just like any other. From an early age I followed him around in his studio and went along in the family car as he drove out into the countryside to work. In the 9th grade I started to draw a lot, mostly figurative, like people, landscape and portraits. My teachers were very supportive and encouraged me to apply to art school. I was accepted by three different schools and started Konstfack in 1986 and I simply loved it all!
When did you realize that your artistry was meant to be your full time profession?
"First of all, having a talent often implies that you have an opportunity to make an earnest living and be a bit businesslike about it, whatever talent you possess. For me, when I was an art–student at Kungliga Konsthögskolan (The Royal University of Fine Arts) in the early 90´s different opportunities to participate in exhibitions and galleries
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