“What’s up Next?” is a series of articles and interviews meant to better showcase the trajectories of our Next Talents.
We are meeting the 2024-2025 generation in two key moments: at the start of their trajectory – focussing on finding out more about the artists and what they expect from the program, and at the end of their course, discussing the things they picked up on the way.
With this first interview we are introducing you to visual artist Khattar Shaheen.
With roots in Syria and currently based in the Netherlands, Khattar’s work reflects a fusion of cultural influences and personal insights, driven by his academic background with degrees in Fine Arts from Damascus University and Animated & Illustrated Storytelling from St. Joost for Art & Design.
In order to better understand his background, we asked Khattar about the art education system in Syria. “The focus in Syria was more on the making process” he explains. “The point of view of an artist was not really being questioned as long as you had the skills and produced works of a certain quality.
Here, in the Netherlands, there is also attention being paid to the tools that can help improve and further develop you as a creator, such as working on defining a clear concept, doing your research etc.”
Talking about a project dear to him, Khattar mentions his St. Joost graduation project Dreams of Yesterday. “It won several prizes (n.ed. was even screened at In Motion Rotterdam 2024) and I think it really helped establish me as a creator here.
I made it in an intuitive way: without a storyboard and not knowing beforehand what was going to happen in the film. I put a lot of my emotions in it and wanted to showcased the feeling of uncertainty. I was very proud of the result especially since I managed to create it with rather tight deadlines.”
As far as inspiration is concerned, Khattar mentions William Kentridge, an artist he considers “the godfather of my animation project”. “He has the courage to make something with the simplest of materials, such as charcoal. It inspired me to think projects are not about technique but about their idea and skills of bringing the beauty out of the tools we use.” Khattar continues: “I also admire the works of British painter Lucian Freud and Canadian-American printmaker, painter and muralist Philip Guston. I have never seen their works in real life, only in books and online, but I find them very inspiring”.
We asked Khattar also about Next. “I first found out about this program at an Oomph event and was super excited when I got nominated for a chance to apply.
It’s really great that the program gives me space to fully focus on creating art, allowing me to not have classes or do illustration commission for certain periods of time. This was also in line with a suggestion I received from Bas Veldhuizen from Kunstloc Brabant (partners in the Next program): ‘Just focus one one thing to work on and develop during your trajectory’ he advised me.”
Regarding his project he intends to work on during the program, Khattar says “I am trying to build a dark room in my studio. I will work a lot with lights in my upcoming project, but with a similar filmmaking approach as my graduation film. I would like to make a triptych and see how different stories can sometimes synch and resonate with one another. I am looking forward to experimenting and playing with different things. I don’t know if in the end my project will be a film or an installation but I would also like it to have the space to create itself, to breathe, to showcase my intuitive style.”
“Having a different background but also artistic formation than most of the artists here, can sometimes make me feel alone so I am really hoping the program will help me build up a network” he adds. “And some knowledge about getting funding for projects could also come in handy!”
We have no doubt our Nexters (current and alumni) are welcoming Khattar with open arms and we are very curious to see the shape his project will take!