Word To Live By, By Erin Leigh
This summer we got our first look at Netherlands artist Joram Roukes at the group show Reflections of a New Generation held at Thinkspace Gallery, Los Angeles. His collages are a contrast of beauty and depth with an incredible talent showcasing issues of a western society and this generations daily life. We are drawn to his work and his subtleties. We love its simplicity and its pain. We grew curious about the man behind the mission and caught up with him for this weeks Words To Live By.
ISM: The show was amazing, we are stoked to have been able to see your work in person, where are you now what are you up to?
I’m busy working on my upcoming solo show at B15 gallery in Copenhagen in September.
ISM: Tell us a little about yourself, something you’d really want the world to know.
Contrary to popular artist cliches, I’m a pretty normal and quiet person. Not huge on the rock and roll lifestyle. I try to be professional about the art business I run. I come from a solid background. Nice and close family and had a very decent childhood. I love to cook when I don’t paint. And i’m a bird lover. Always was.
ISM: Creating your latest collection, what was that experience like?
Creating any piece or series is always a lot of fun. But at the same time challenging. The show title ‘reflections of a new generation’ allowed me to work freely as it isn’t hugely conceptual. It gave way for experimenting composition and techniques.
ISM: Where are you from and what was it like growing up there?
I was born and raised in the city of Lelystad. Which is roughly 50 miles from Amsterdam. Is a newly built city on a newly made piece of land that used to be a sea. It’s artificial land in many ways. Its a serene and sterile place where there wasn’t a whole lot to do. But my childhood was peaceful nevertheless. I got into the usual amount of trouble as an adolescent and then I moved to Groningen at age 18.
ISM: Spend a day with one other artist, who would it be and why?
David Lynch. Because I have no idea what he is like as a person. But he works multidisciplinary and its all equally intriguing.
ISM: Something that just blows your mind
The universe and existence. The fact that we are here after billions of evolutionary steps and circumstantial miracle. The odds of that blow my mind completely.
ISM: Something you struggle with
Distraction
ISM: Something you’ve overcome
Some distractions
ISM: Future aspirations
Make larger and better work.
ISM: Words to live by:
Don’t waste time
-Erin Leigh
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