19 Mai - 26 June 2005
exhibition BERNARDINE DE NEEVE
Bernadine de Neeve-prize 2005
Encouragement prize for contemporary
glass-art
The Bernardine de Neeve-prize has been
installed as a three-yearly encouragement
prize. It is directed at young artists under
35 which have entered the domain of glass
art, have established a [modest] oeuvre in
glass and who have already had their work
exhibited.
Ellen Urselmann is one out of six nominees.
Museum Jan van der Togt
Dorpsstraat 50
1182 JE Amstelveen
text: Piet Augustijn,
Bernardine de Neeve prize 2005
A cupboard in her studio displays a
multiple array of objects: a bulging
glass spoon ‘closed’ by a sink stopper,
a magnifying glass, glass heads, play
blocks, a coin dish, a door beater,
ceramic hands. Objects holding a
memory, found or received objects
which are kept because of their
attractive shapes or self-made
objects out of glass or ceramics.
Separate objects which form an
arsenal for the mind and which
may in the future be used in a
new piece. Implements, inspirations,
memories.
Memories are a powerful motif in
Ellen Urselmann’s work. Using
tangible images she tries to summon
the memory of certain moments,
feelings and thoughts. She does
this by using and combining different
materials. Every material has its own
sentimental value and raises different
feelings with the observer. Take for
example the hard but fragile combined
with the softness of textile, which can
summon both feelings of detachment
and feelings of affection at the same
time. Moreover she uses already
existing objects, photographs and
texts which can be conserved in [and
therewith protected by] glass containers.
‘With my work I want to move people,
make them consider their own memories
and emotions, and thus show how one
swift moment can leave a positive or
negative impression in our lives. My
work is not about my own memories,
but about the memories of the beholder.
Although I usually think in glass, I do not
feel bound by it: as a rule I work with
materials that best suit the concept I
have. Sometimes materials can be a
starting point for a creation, sometimes
the objects that I have collected give me
ideas.
‘In the beginning I did not give any titles
to my work, sais Ellen Urselmann, ‘I started
doing this at a certain moment because
a title can be an aid to the observer, a little
hint pointing them in the right direction.
I am not giving away everything, enough
is left to associate.
‘The work Trophy is a little box in which
blown glass and found objects lie on soft
wool. You can consider Trophy literally as
an object, but you could also consider it as
a symbol: the prizes you won in your life.
This layering is present in all my work, but
will standout more to one person than to
another.’
Her half year stay in South Africa from
January to July 2004 has had a deep
impact on her life and work. Where the
West is mainly focussed mainly on work,
money, achievement, Africa’s laws are
completely different. ‘I have travelled
around there, collecting a lot of artefacts
and was able to work in the studio of an
artist who is a friend of mine. But I have
also visited Townships and did some
voluntary work. The work that has come
out of that intends to show that outward
appearances do not matter, but spiritual
freedom and relationships with family
and friends do. I would like to make
people conscious and let them consider
the things that really matter in life.’
These thoughts and conceptions are
presented in objects such as Keep
Focus, a hand holding a magnifying
glass, Give and Take, two ceramic
hands with a string of glass pearl
beads and In My Memory, a picture
of an African girl covered in red beads,
conserved in a ball of glass. Objects
giving food for thought.
