Wim does not call himself an artist. He believes that it is a title to be earned and it is a lifelong objective. Wim’s stance is that one should think for oneself, doing things just for the sake of it. Even if it is bad or stupid, if it makes you happy, do it. It is never about success. Afterall success is something other people project on you.
It is safe to say that this Dutch artist is a doer, not a talker. You won’t find him elaborating and building skyscraper concepts just to tick industry boxes or please someone.
This doesn’t mean that his work is without conceptual depth. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Wim presents a clear message and gives a distinctive direction on how to interpret it, without tautologies. He delivers – a concept and excellent craftsmanship, showcasing his engineering skills and technical knowledge. If you don’t see it, move on.
Wim’s path to the art was not without detours. He studied and worked as an electrician. Feeling unfulfilled, he took a career advisory test that suggested he should follow a creative path or work with animals. This lead Wim to start studying industrial design. He put in rigorous work, but yet again he didn’t feel comfortable in a field that fuels mass production and unreasonable consumption.
photos by PILOTENKUECHE International Art Program
It was at S.M.A.K museum in Ghent that he was first exposed to Arte Povera. The art of Bernd Lohaus and Giovanni Anselmo struck him. He sat in front of Bernd’s Lohaus piece for a good half an hour, taking in impressions, breathing in the material. The realisation came that Art is what Wim wants to do. The impression was such a powerful one that his entrance essay for the Academy of Arts was about Giovanni Anselmo and Wim’s graduation work displays strong influences of his work. .
Wim Warrink’s work has a certain rawness and tension to it. Like Don Quixote, Wim is engaged in a constant battle. His machines embody power, movement, direction and time. This artist has a comfortable relationship with time. He accepts it for what it is. He resists the need for instantaneity. He slowly appreciates the moment, though also understands that good things do not come tout de suite. Wim stresses the importance of taking breaks to enjoy life – they are crucial to break up a jammed thought process, find the last piece of a puzzle or to be inspired.
His work does reference time a lot, but without trying to grasp the concept of infinity. When engineering Wim only integrates found parts, from streets and flea markets. The machinery is a fusion of spare parts with each piece having a unique backstory. His engines are thought through and a result of plenty hours of laborious work and history, but made to do what Wim wants them to do – here and now. At the end of the day it does make sense: Machines doing things for you – equals more time to do things you love, be creative.
Currently this artist has embarked on a year-long nomadic journey, in which he will be participating in different art residencies around Europe. We are happy to know that PK is his first stop and Wim is inspired by Leipzig and its industrial and coal mining industry scenes. PK wishes Wim the best of luck and a lot of joyful experiences in the near future.
written by Agnes
Wim Warrink’s website and Instagram.
Overwhelmed incorporeal happiness / vernissage / PK RD41
Saturday, 14. December 2019
19:00 – 22:00
PILOTENKEUCHE, Franz-Flemming-Straße 9, 04179 Leipzig