Who am I?

Abstract

The WdKA publication ‘Who Am I’ documents the results of an international project, in which young graphic artists of WdKA and Gallery Herenplaats in Rotterdam, and of the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou/China reacted graphically to the issue of ‘identity’. The ‘Who Am I’ series started out in 2003 as a joint project by WdKA’s graphic studio and Galerie Atelier Herenplaats from Rotterdam, a gallery and studio working with artists that are mentally handicapped: ‘Outsider Art’. For that first edition the Accademia di Bella Arti from Venice/Italy and the Royal Academy for Fine Arts from Antwerp/Belgium were invited to participate. Partner of the second edition, in 2005, was the School of Visual Arts from New York. Due to the intensive partnership of WdKA and China Academy of Art (CAA) in Hangzhou, that academy was invited for the 2007 ‘Who Am I #3’ project. Participants were students from WdKA and CAA, plus artists of Herenplaats. Like in previous editions they were asked to make three works on ‘identity’. The size was limited to a maximum of 15 x 20 cm, in book print, planography, engraving, serigraphy or computer print, to be printed in a limited edition. This resulted in 56 pieces, that were on show simultaneously in Hangzhou and Rotterdam (December 2007-January 2008). The individual character and application of the various printing techniques were plainly visible, plus of course the differences in cultural background and attitude of both students and teachers. This recent project has now been documented in the new publication. It features graphic work by artists Gao Chuan, Zhao Liying, Gu Juyi, Tang Manwen, Jin Qundan en Chen Yunjie from the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou/China, Paulus de Groot, Jacqueline Loeve, Louisa Schot, Belinda Tijssen, Wouter Valentijn en Karin van As from Galerie Atelier