Chris Nelck (2003,NL) grew up immersed in art, attending museums from a young age. He got admitted to the Willem de Kooning Academy at 15, initially studying photography before shifting to fine arts. His work is influenced by his Trans and Queer identity, which permeates his practice. Nelck has also studied at Kunsthøgskolen in Oslo and is known for integrating writing into his projects, often publishing texts alongside his artworks.
Nelck’s art embodies “radical openness,” a term he uses to describe his transparent approach to expressing his secrets, shame, desires, and emotions. The paintings are visualizations of Nelck’s performance piece Midas, and at the same time also the inspiration for the performance. This series delves into themes of Trans and Queer shame, transforming these experiences into acts of resistance. Inspired by Mario Mieli’s quote from Towards a Gay Communism, 1974, “I keep my treasure in my arse, but then my arse is open to everyone”, Nelck’s performances involve writing secrets in shells and burying them, reminiscent of the Greek myth of King Midas. This act symbolizes the spreading of secrets, aiming for viewers to recognize and resonate with these shared experiences.
Chris Tam Nelck
chrisnelck@gmail.com
Based in Rotterdam
chrisnelck@gmail.com
Based in Rotterdam
My face is like an open book, people have told me this repeatedly throughout my life. My emotions are upfront and my features articulative.
I frown without thinking and smile without knowing.
My practice is very much the same. In my art I am open and upfront. My secrets, shame, desires and emotions are for everyone to see when I choose to. I call this radical openness. Radical openness for me, is a way of activism. When painting, I often feel like I am building bridges between me and the viewer. My paintings make it possible for me to feel at peace while sharing personal and intimate emotions. They are hairy and vulnerable. Powerful and fragile. .
Education:
2014 – 2020 Het Lyceum Rotterdam, art department
2018 Preliminary program of the Willem de Kooning Academy
2020 – 2024 Willem de Kooning Academy, Fine Art (Cum Laude)
2023 – 2023 Exchange Spring semester, Oslo National Academy of the Arts, Kunsthøgskolen i Oslo
Work experience:
2018 – 2019 Volunteer at Roodkapje Rotterdam
2019 – 2022 Employee at the Burgertrut (from Roodkapje Rotterdam)
2021 – 2022 / 2024 Marketing and communication at Roodkapje Rotterdam
2022 – 2022 Education Team Mama
2022 – now Riso print studio for Roodkapje Rotterdam, Hogus Bogus Publishing
2023 – 2024 Volunteer and board member of Skeiv Ungdom Oslo/Viken, Queer Youth Oslo/Viken
Other:
2018 Performer for a performance by Nada van Dalen
2019 Assistant at a photoshoot by Harmen Meinsma for Nada van Dalen
2019 Crash course from the photography competition Document Junior by het Rijksmuseum with a masterclass from Erwin Olaf
2020 Youth jury at IFFR, International Film Festival Rotterdam
2021 Group exhibition with 1st year fine arts Willem de Kooning
2021 Sculpting workshop at Roodkapje called Community Sculpting
2021 Group exhibition at Ijzerblok, 2nd year Fine Arts Willem de Kooning
2022 Founder of bike group for Queer Gym in collaboration with Queer Wheels (Tabi Sutherland)
2023 On Queer Speculative Fiction, a reading event for Skeiv Ungdom with Deichman Tøyen
2023 Volunteer for Wilder Kitchen, donation cafe, creative plant based cooking
2024 Best of Graduates Ron Mandos
2024 Together for Free at Brutus Rotterdam
2024 Destillaat, Extrapool
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