Mo Cornelisse: 'The sense of trends, creativity and spatial awareness...'

What was your first job? "As a teenager I worked in a bakery, ice cream parlour and had a paper round in Enschede. Besides

What was your very first job?

“As a teenager I worked in a bakery, ice cream parlor and had a newspaper route in Enschede. Besides my high school dancing, my passion was dancing in a show group and I also did modeling. I walked shows all over the country.

After high school I went to textile school and eventually ended up at the Dormaël family business (known for the Steps clothing store). I worked in the department at this company Purchase where I experienced an unprecedented time: I thought about new store concepts, traveled a lot and developed myself.”

How did you end up in your current job?

“At one point I started my own children's clothing line Triple One and later a teak furniture line. Still, I missed something. At the ceramics training I was able to express myself and found a new passion. I learned everything related to the ceramics craft here. It was in 2012 Mo Cornelisse a fact and I got my first solo exhibition in The Hague.”

Was there a market for this craft?

“When 'people' heard that I was switching to the ceramic craft, people were surprised. It was seen as an old craft, but nowadays many crafts are popular again. Ceramics is an odd one out in the art world, but the profession is gaining more and more respect. There is so much to do with ceramics.”

Who was your wheelbarrow?

“Of course I sometimes asked certain things about my work from those around me, but initially I developed a lot myself over the past ten years. I have always been able to pursue a sense of trends, creativity and spaciousness by following my intuition.” 

“If you always do what you've always done, you'll never do what you've never done.”

What is your greatest passion in your profession?

“I think the great thing about this discipline is that the form, the object and the path to it cannot be predicted. For me, the challenge lies in the technology: I work with a computer to develop shapes that I normally cannot make. I think that is special and special about this profession. I am challenged every day.”

What has been the biggest learning moment in your career?

“I worked alone for quite a long time in my ceramics studio at home and then did laundry happy in my own bubble. After a few years I was approached via Instagram by another artist and at a certain point we created a group of creatives that I still spar with regularly. It is extremely motivating to take a critical look at the art world with other fellow artists.”

What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?

“Stick with your feelings and follow your intuition, but it is important to out of the box to think, because if you always do what you have always done, then you will never do what you have never done. Start experimenting, 'playing' and testing out different things!”

Next weekend from August 25 to 28 you will exhibit at the NOCKNOCK Art Fair. What are you going to show?

“I exhibit in the Amsterdam Hallen studios together with sixty other artists, where all the artists are present. It is a combination of fashion design and art with the theme: Art on the catwalk. I will present new works in which I combine new materials with ceramics. It will be a great spectacle.”

Have you been a wheelbarrow for someone?

“From the making group for artists and creative makers, I regularly speak with colleagues and starting artists. I hope to inspire others and contribute something with our diverse conversations. It is mainly about motivation, passion and the right amount of courage!”