Artists Harry van den Berg (69) and Henk Padt (74) will probably have to leave their studio on 5 July. They don’t have a plan B yet. “We look back on this location with nostalgia and gratitude,” said Harry. The artists are already old and this could mean a mandatory pension for them.
The studio is located on the Boekelermeer industrial estate in Alkmaar. Now that this is being finalized, the curtain falls on the artists’ studio. “We have been here for sixteen years, and what a perfect place it was,” says Henk. Harry has been there a little shorter, but is also in love with the studio. “If we have to go out later, we won’t make it difficult, although I am afraid that it will be empty for another two years,” said Harry.
Harry and Henk have to leave the studio – NH Nieuws
Harry and Henk are not the only artists in the studio, Bram Bus also makes his works there. He has already said goodbye, it is no longer possible for him to focus in the studio. “I’m not going to paint here with my head in the sand,” says Bram.
He has already removed all his belongings at this point. The two remaining artists are still working hard and hope to stay longer. “We hope for an extension, finding something new is almost impossible at this time,” explains Harry. He does indicate that he understands that they have to leave.
‘No room for artists’
Artist Henk is slightly angrier about the compulsory departure. “I don’t want to retire yet, a forced retirement is never fun.” Sixteen years ago he moved into the studio and is very happy with the location and the low price. “Nowadays it’s all about money and governments no longer invest in art.”
He is disappointed that there are no cheap studios around Alkmaar. “I think there is enough empty, because of bureaucracy it is not used, this is not only detrimental to us but also to other groups of people,” Harry shouts.
“Everything used to be easier, you could still arrange something with someone at the government”
Harry agrees with Hank. “Anti-squatting is often replaced by a company that puts down a camera, a living artist is not given any space,” says Harry. According to him, that is one of the reasons why it is so difficult for them now. “Everything used to be easier and there was a lot less regulation. You could still arrange something with someone at the government. Nowadays that is really no longer possible, there is a rule for everything and that must be adhered to.”
‘The frayed edges around the city are disappearing’
Harry and Henk think that in this way the Netherlands will become a large raked park. “There is no longer room for frayed edges around a city,” says Harry. This lack also reduces the opportunities for creative youth, he thinks.
“I come from the 60s/70s, then there was still room to develop creatively, now that is almost all gone,” says Henk. The two artists do agree that the creative blood creeps where it can’t go. “In the end, the youth will find a goat toad” says Harry
July 5 is the last day in their studio. There is still a possibility that the municipality will extend the contract. Both artists hope for this, even though they understand that it may not work. “If a company has bought this lot, it makes sense that we have to leave”, Harry understands. When they have to leave, Henk doesn’t know where his things should go. “I mainly paint large canvases, so they may just have to go into the container. Or all be sold,” Henk laughs.
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