Pushing the Boundaries of Art: A Conversation with Geoffrey van Dijk
Geoffrey and I connected over Reddit a few months ago. Since then, we’ve been able to talk about his erotic art journey.
In this interview, we talk about when he first felt like he “became an artist”, the two sides of the erotic art scene, and what it’s like making art in Southern Netherlands.
I hope you enjoy this interview with Geoffrey van Dijk.
Who are you? Introduce yourself!
My name is Geoffrey van Dijk, I’m an artist from the Netherlands. I have to start by saying that English is not my native language. Some answers I have written in English, and some more complex questions I have answered in Dutch and then translated with an AI.
My work is about rediscovering the meaning of drawing for me, through playful actions and pushing the boundaries of my art. I focus on the process of making art rather than the end result. (so translates the AI)
Describe your artistic journey
That depends on when you consider yourself an artist, or if you may call yourself one. In Dutch, the words "kunstenaar" and "artiest" usually mean something different. I have always been creative and enjoyed drawing when I was young. I was trained as a graphic designer and as an kunstenaar.
After my studies, I worked for a few years as a kunstenaar, graphic designer, and illustrator. In recent years, the focus has been exclusively on art. I would say that I became “an artist” around this time.
How do you structure your creative time?
I work when I have a concept to develop. Currently, I schedule time in my studio around my part-time job at a small bookstore at a train station. There is a lot of structure in my work, and implementing these frameworks in my thinking is also a part of my artistry.
How would you describe your local art scene to anyone unfamiliar with it?
The Southern Netherlands is not necessarily the place where the latest developments in art take place, but it is a place where you can find a lot of peace. There are local initiatives working hard to change this. It's nice that you can still get inspiration from other places through the internet.
How did you first become interested in your style of art?
Letting go of a visual style is one of the subjects that my art is about. If something is to be called my style, I think it's the conceptual approach that I use, where I build boundaries within which I can let go, so to speak. I think this interest is a response to years of being engaged with style and form.
Where do you see yourself taking your work in the future?
I hope to achieve a degree of freedom in my work, both for myself in the creative process and for the viewer who sees my work. This means that I will have to continue pushing against my own boundaries.
As someone who makes erotic artwork, how do you handle comments and critiques of your work?
I wouldn’t say that I create erotic artworks, though for sure some of my works can be seen as having erotic influences. I love getting feedback, though what ultimately killed my interest in solely focusing on nude drawings was how people would constantly ignore my boundaries. I’ve received many unsolicited and highly graphical photos and in the end, I couldn’t deal with that anymore. I love the erotic scene and enjoy visiting fairs and exhibitions about it, but it has two sides. I try to focus on the positive, healthy, and enriching side.
Do you collaborate with other artists?
When I only made nude drawings, I really enjoyed collaborating with other artists. The most enjoyable collaborations were with Ella Thorne (@bornthorne), who really helped me in terms of exposure. In my current artistry, the collaborations are more abstract and I work a lot with my studio mates @donnasophia_ and @adrienstanziani.
Who are your influences? Historical or Modern erotic artists
I don't really have influences, I think. There are artists and creators whose works/films/music I really like, but I don't know to what extent they really influence me.
How do you promote your work?
I mainly show my work digitally through my website and Instagram, and during exhibitions when the opportunity arises. I don't know if social media has been useful, and whether the current situation is better than if there were no social media. American values really hindered me when Instagram deleted my previous account (despite me taking care not to break any rules) and I lost all my built-up contacts and archive. The only really good alternative that I used at the time was Reddit, but not much else.
What’s next for you?
Along with a musician friend, we are going to produce a soundtrack for my work, to use on social media and its urgent request for video material. Furthermore, this year I particularly want to make a lot of progress in visibility and production.
Where can people find you?
On www.geoffreyvandijk.com, or follow me on Instagram: @geoffrey.van.dijk.
