Interview
Atelier One
Working under the name Atelier One, this Antwerp-based artist creates work centered on connection. After a childhood spent at the art academy, she initially chose a career in sports, until she discovered that it was not sport, but creating and making art, that brought true rest to her mind. That discovery led her back to art. Drawing from a daily job centered on coaching and guiding people, Atelier One translates the search for human connection — and its absence in our fast, digital world — into playful yet deeply meaningful artworks. Characteristic of her work is the contrast in color use: sometimes vibrant and abundant, sometimes almost colorless. Inspired by artists such as Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, and Boy & Erik Stappaerts in her paintings, and Jeff Koons, Guido Deleu, and Vitra in her sculptural work, each piece is created intuitively, layer by layer, with great attention to detail. Following her first international exhibition at Arrival Gallery in Paris, this year brings new exhibitions in Ooidonk (church and castle), as well as an international show at The Holy Art Gallery in Amsterdam
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am originally from Antwerp. As a child, I attended the art academy, but at a certain point I chose to focus entirely on sports. However, after many years of intensive training, I noticed that sport did not give me what I was looking for: while sport filled my head with performance pressure and routine, creating and making art gave me the rest and clarity I needed. That discovery brought me back to art, and since then I have been fully creative again.”
What inspires you?
“My inspiration comes directly from my daily job, in which I guide and support people through coaching. There, people are central, and especially the connection between people — something we often risk losing in this fast, busy world. That search for connection, and the lack of it, is an important source of inspiration for my work.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The theme of connection runs like a common thread through my work: the connection between people, but also the connection people sometimes lose with themselves in a world that keeps moving faster. With my art, I want to hold up a mirror, while also inviting people to pause and reflect on what truly matters: human contact.”
How would you describe your work?
“I describe my work as playful, yet with depth. In terms of color, I move between two extremes: either I work with abundant, vibrant color, or with a minimal, almost absent palette. That tension between playfulness and meaning, between much and little color, is for me a way to make the feeling of connection — and sometimes its absence — visually tangible.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I draw inspiration from different areas. For my paintings, I look to Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso, but also to the artist duo Boy and Erik Stappaerts. For my sculptural work, I draw inspiration from Jeff Koons and Guido Deleu, and I am also strongly drawn to the design language of the Vitra brand.”
What is your creative process like?
“Every artwork begins with an idea. It often arises spontaneously in my mind, inspired by a feeling, a conversation, a shape, or a moment that moves me. I let that idea grow until I clearly feel which direction it wants to take. Next, I make a first sketch. Not to fix everything in place, but to explore the composition and basic shapes. After that, I search for the right colors, materials, and balance. I experiment with color composition, textures, and contrasts until everything comes together as one whole. Only then does the real creating begin. Layer by layer I build up the artwork, continuously looking, feeling, and refining. Sometimes a piece changes during the process, because it points itself in a new direction. This is how every Atelier One work comes to life: intuitive, thoughtful, and with great attention to detail. No two works are the same, because every idea tells its own story.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I believe an artist teaches people to look differently. In a world that keeps accelerating, and in which we are overwhelmed daily by information, art creates a moment of rest — a moment to pause, look, and feel. For me, art is not a luxury, but a way to create connection. An artwork doesn't have to explain everything. It may raise questions, stir emotions, or bring a sense of balance and serenity. Everyone experiences the same work differently, and that is exactly what makes art so valuable. I think the artist's role will only become more important. We live in a digital world where much is fleeting. That is precisely why the need for authentic, handmade creations with a story keeps growing. People are no longer looking for objects, but for meaning, personality, and something that truly moves them. With Atelier One, I want to create art that not only beautifies a space but also leaves a feeling behind — a work that keeps inspiring, brings peace, and tells the viewer something new every day. That, to me, is both the power and the future of art.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“My artistic journey is still at an early stage, but I have already been given some wonderful opportunities for which I am especially grateful. An absolute highlight was my first exhibition abroad, at Arrival Gallery in Paris. It was a special experience to show my work internationally. Perhaps not yet a large or famous exhibition, but for me it felt like an important milestone and a true honor to take part in. In the coming months, more exhibitions are planned. In October, I will take part in an exhibition at The Holy Art Gallery in Amsterdam. I am looking forward to this immensely, as it marks another international step in my artistic journey. I also exhibit closer to home. On August 8th and 9th, I will take part in an exhibition in the church of Ooidonk. Later, on September 25th, a second exhibition will follow at the beautiful Ooidonk Castle. These are unique locations where art and heritage reinforce one another. I see every exhibition as an opportunity to share my work with new people, to have meaningful conversations, and to keep growing as an artist. Of course, I always hope that someone will feel so connected to a piece that it finds a new home. That remains one of the most beautiful compliments an artist can receive.”
