Nienke van der Wal

“It is crucial, especially now [during these times of Corona] to support artists and galleries⁠—if financially possible. Since we're all staying at home, it's a perfect time to have a beautiful piece of art on the wall to look at!”

Nienke van der Wal, Founder Young Collectors Circle & Cultural Sector Consultant

Who are you and how did your affinity with art emerge?

My name is Nienke van der Wal and I've been working in the creative and cultural sector for over 15 years. I started within film and performing arts, but in the last few years my focus shifted towards visual arts, partly due to an international assignment for a Dutch museum. By seeing and traveling a lot, it became increasingly clear to me how important art is, and how universal it is: to offer beauty, comfort and food for thought, but also as a dyamic of change. I believe it's a gift to be a small part of this—not only in my private life, but also within my work.

What are your most precious art-related memories? What were the most challenging?

I've seen such beautiful things: from grand and compelling such as an installation by Richard Serra for which I cruised the desert of Qatar in a jeep for 2 hours, to small and intimate: the studio visits we organize every month with Young Collectors Circle. The challenge is to make choices: there is an abundance of art and culture. I would prefer not to miss anything. Impossible.

What would you advise someone who is at the start of his/her creative career?

I try to argue against the loss of talent in this sector. Many talented marketers and business developers switch within their careers, because the cultural sector is not as well paid as the corporate one and often struggles to keep up with new developments. A vicious circle: because of that loss the innovative strength in the creative sector can't keep up. So I would say not so much as advice but as an encouragement: don't give up, we need you very much. Make a difference!

You are a collector yourself. What purchase was most precious to you?

It happened quite naturally, but suddenly I noticed that I mainly bought art from contemporary female artists. Not surprising in itself, because I can identify with what is on their mind. The most special purchase is a work by the South African artist Turiya Magadlela. I saw her work at The Armory Show in New York and concluded that I could never afford it. A year later, smaller work became available, within my budget - I bought it at Unseen. It's still in a prominent place in the house and is very precious to me. I also chose female artists from the AkzoNobel collection.

What is your word of advice regarding art-inspiration during these turbelent times of Corona?

It is crucial, especially now, to support artists and galleries, if financially possible. Since we're all staying at home, it is a perfect time to have a beautiful piece of art on the wall to look at! Young Collectors Circle's mission is to save the art world, one artwork at a time, which is true now more true than ever. The internet is your treasure trove: online exhibitions are organized by galleries and artists are sharing on Instagram what they are working on. Do you need help? Young Collectors Circle has digitized its entire program, including master classes, studio visits and collection visits, and offers extra service in the form of a help desk.⁠

Esiri Erheriene-Essi | The Voyagers
2019 | oil, ink and xerox transfer on linen
135 x 135 CM

"Another great painter, with a unique signature: Esiri Erheriene-Essi. She portrays migrants from Africa, Haiti and the Caribbean who moved to the West in search of a better life, during the seventies. She combines archival images as inspiration for her works, such as this family, which I suspect is located in an amusement park attraction. Erheriene-Essi portrays this migrant family in a different way than we are used to from the media: its main characters are powerful, fashionable and attractive. This artist is definitely on my wish list!"

Caroline Walker | Study for Cutting
2019 | oilpaint on paper
45.3 x 53 CM

"Caroline Walker is so unique in what she makes: her paintings are so recognizable. Walker puts ordinary women in the spotlight as we secretly get a sneak peek in their daily work as a tailor, nail stylist or cleaner. In doing so, she gives us a whole new look at who woman are and can be, by replacing the male gaze that depicted women as timid women or sex symbols for centuries. I have an artwork by Walker in my bedroom which makes me happy every day."

Jennifer Tee | Absense of a Form, Shape and Presence no. 7
2018 | Glazed ceramic
21 x 30 CM

"I am the lucky owner of a ceramic mask from this series by Jennifer Tee. Tee is inspired in her work by various cultures and customs. Her work is spiritual without being obtrusive. This work, a death mask, is the result of her research into the transition between life and death. I find it a comforting work: the shape of the object, the color and the splashes of paint make it a soft portrait of death for me."

Elspeth Diederix | 2D Flower
2016 | inkjet print
40.5 x 60 CM

"The still lifes of Elspeth Diederix are composed with so much care and attention that you can't but feel zen while looking at it! Caught between two table parts, this white flower is beautiful in all its simplicity. For me, this work is a reminder that artists can show us beauty through their work in everyday things, which we wouldn't normally see."