From an early start at WdKA to navigating the post-graduation art world, Chris Nelck has carved out a unique path as an emerging artist. Their work is deeply personal, exploring themes of uncertainty, temporality, and self-initiated opportunities. In this interview, Chris reflects on his time at the academy, the challenges of sustaining an artistic practice, and the importance of community and self-driven projects.
How did you end up at WdKA?
I was torn between healthcare and the creative sector. I attended the art program at Lyceum Rotterdam and visited the WdKA open day, where I immediately enrolled in the precourse. Nada van Dalen, one of the teachers, took me under her wing and really brought me into the academy. We still keep in touch.
At 15, while still in high school, I applied and got in, which I never expected. Choosing art felt like a big leap. Initially, I started in Photography, but after a year, I switched to Fine Art. I realized I wanted to explore more than just one medium. Being surrounded by students working in all kinds of disciplines was very inspiring.
How did you experience your time at WdKA?
It was a mix of emotions. I really found my people here, but there were also tough periods, especially when the focus was heavily on theory. The last two years were intense but very educational. I put a lot of pressure on myself during graduation. I wanted to create something I was truly proud of. My perfectionism sometimes held me back, but it also motivated me.
In the end, I was really happy with my final work. I built the walls myself, creating a white cube within the school, where all the pieces finally came together.
What happened after graduation?
Right after graduating, opportunities started coming in. I got a call from Ron Mandos for the Best of Graduates show. That was surreal—suddenly, I was in the gallery world, negotiating prices for my work. I even sold two pieces but never knew who bought them, since there’s always a middleman. My work, which had been in my studio for a year, was now out in the world.
Shortly after, I exhibited at Brutus with friends and peers from Ijzerblok with "Together for Free". Then, Extrapool reached out for a two-week residency for recent graduates: Destillaat. That was an amazing experience—completely free and experimental. We lived and worked there non-stop, creating together late into the night. I started a new body of work there, which I later showed in my last exhibition. As well as a Riso-printed wallpaper for Extrapool that is still there today and made a publication that I printed on-site in their publishing house Knust.
I’m grateful for all these opportunities, but the uncertainty remains. I often compare myself to other artists I admire, which can be both inspiring and intimidating.
What was your latest project about?
I had a temporary studio in Hillevliet, an old school building where half of it still functions as a school. My studio was in the attic next to a classroom painted entirely pink. I treated it like a personal residency, I was in this studio for six months, creating work inspired by my current housing situation. My landlord wants to sell, but we have tenant protection, creating a lot of uncertainty.
I got fascinated by how pigeons build their nests: messy, quick, and temporary. That really resonated with me, especially since I still have unpacked boxes at home. In the classroom studio, I built a pigeon nest installation and made three paintings which fit perfectly in an old school board frame, which was still hanging there. The colors in my work connected directly to the location.
You organized an unusual event during one of your exhibitions, can you tell us about that?
Yes! During my exhibition at Hillevliet, I wanted to incorporate food into the experience. Together with my collective Goblin Feast (consisting of Carla Menas, Jip Moeken, Paul Smullenberg and myself), we came up with the idea of a deviled egg competition. Guests were invited to bring their own take on deviled eggs, and Paul judged them as the eggspert during the opening. The winning eggs were dyed blue with mustard-dill filling. We’re now taking Goblin Feast further: on March 29 18:00 - 20:00, during Art Rotterdam, we’re hosting Goblin Feast: Snack de la Snack for Crème de la Crème at WORM.
What are you working on right now?
I recently got into De Belofte by Kunstliefde, a three-month learning trajectory with biweekly workshops and meetings, culminating in an exhibition. That’s my main focus right now. I’m also heading to Norway for a month to stay in a cabin with my mom, where I plan to create new work. I want to keep making, rather than getting caught up in side jobs or distractions. Applying for the Mondriaan Fund is on my radar—it would give me a year of financial freedom to focus on my practice.
What’s your biggest challenge at the moment as a young artist?
Balancing work and personal life. I work four days in the week and my free time is also my art-making time, which makes it hard to separate. I see a lot of artists struggling with this, even my former teachers at the academy. I want to avoid burnout while still making enough to sustain myself.
And your biggest win of the past months?
Securing our new studio space in Feyenoord! Together with some friends, we pitched an idea to project developers and managed to get a 500m² space at an affordable rent as a social project. For this we started a vereniging: Gelijkstroom. Part of the space is dedicated to public workshops and exhibitions. It’s a huge step forward for us.
What was the most valuable thing about your time at WdKA?
Learning to take initiative. In my second year, we organized our own exhibition at Museumpark. That was a big moment for me, I realized I could create my own opportunities. Since then, I’ve actively sought out ways to showcase my work, which even led me to De Belofte residency. Don't wait for an invitation!
What advice would you give to current WdKA students?
Find your people. Your network will challenge you, inspire you, and push you forward. Also, don’t overthink. Just start making. Sometimes, creating something physical helps you figure out the concept along the way. For me, painting is a way to keep moving while I think.
