Siemen Dijkstra, the winner of the Cultural Prize of Drenthe this year, has reached a new high point. An overview of the works of the woodcarver from Dwingeloo is currently on display in Paris. And although Dijkstra already has quite a few successes to his name as an artist, the exhibition in the French metropolis was something of a completely different order.
That it came to that has to do with the prestigious graphics prize of the Académie des Beaux-Arts that Dijkstra won last year for his woodcarving. Not just any prize, because the Académie des Beaux-Arts is not just an international artists’ mecca; Dijkstra is also the first Dutchman to receive the graphic award – named after the famous Italian engraver Mario Avati, who died in 2009. “And the exhibition in Paris was attached to that price,” explains Dijkstra.
And so he can exhibit his woodcarving works until June 19 in a place where art already has a prominent place in France: in the art academy right opposite the world-famous Louvre. “That means you can see my wood carvings of the Dwingelderveld in the middle of Paris,” Dijkstra laughs.
The fact that he has to laugh at his own statement also shows how special he actually thinks it is. “I’m normally quite sober, but something like that does something to you when you see your work hanging in such a place. And there were also very enthusiastic reactions, which was very nice to experience.”
Dijkstra was also present at the opening of the exhibition on May 10, where he wanted to show himself as a good guest by giving a speech in French. “That was not easy, because I used to have French for two years at the mavo, but that was about it.” With some help from others, the artist finally came up with a speech, which he says turned out surprisingly well. “To my amazement, people could understand it. Yes, that went pretty well.”
Being able to exhibit your work in such a prominent place “only happens once”, Dijkstra knows. He thoroughly enjoyed it, and maybe it won’t stop there. “In France they are quite interested in graphic art, and certainly in Paris. But they don’t really know the technique I use for my works there yet. The woodcarving itself is, but not the reduction technique I use. That’s really something what you learn in the Northern Netherlands, in my case at the Minerva academy in Groningen, where I was taught by a teacher who specialized in this technique.”
Whether the Dwingelderveld and other landscapes in Drenthe can expect an invasion of French tourists this summer who want to see where Dijkstra got the inspiration for his wood carvings? It just might. To be sure, Dijkstra already sent an app to forest ranger Albert Henckel. “Watch out, I told him. It’s getting busy here”, he concludes with a laugh.