On an inner wall of almost 200m2 in Kunstpunt Groningen, artist Jop Luberti has free rein to experiment. A unique opportunity, because not often artists have the opportunity to experiment freely on a large scale. Still, working in public space, such as art on facades, squares and parking garages, requires some practice. Jop explains what the project The Wall means to him.
First and foremost, the promise of artistic freedom on a large scale naturally draws me in like a magnet. A high, expansive wall as a canvas, all to myself—it’s exhilarating! But to avoid any confusion: I’m not just interested in "doing whatever I want." That doesn’t benefit anyone. Art is a very special, valuable form of communication, and my main goal is to create a genuine exchange of worldviews and perspectives. "I'll let you be in my dream if I can be in yours" (Bob Dylan, 1963). That said, the wall at Kunstpunt definitely invites me to go all out with my characteristic colorful, dynamic visual language. I see the project itself as a great opportunity to further develop my practice. In fact, "further" has become a key word for me during this project.
For example, I like to look “beyond” what’s right in front of me. I am both an artist and a graphic designer, and these two sides constantly influence each other. My autonomous art always has a graphic touch. My graphic design—whether for LP covers or T-shirts—I aim to make as beautiful and intriguing as possible, and it’s far from merely functional or commercial. For The Wall, I immediately had the idea to combine these multiple perspectives, including a clear applied art twist: recycling. The riso art prints I’ll be covering The Wall with will go “further” as birthday calendars afterward.
The beauty of a project like The Wall #5 is that it helps me “move forward,” allowing me to take big steps in mural painting
I use multiple media: both paint for murals and a risograph for my art prints. And I almost forgot the pink, yellow, and blue felt-tip pens that I use to sketch out the first shapes and ideas in my notebook. They’re absolutely essential. The beauty of a project like The Wall #5 is that it helps me “move forward,” allowing me to take big steps in mural painting: techniques, considerations, design. My coach, Aimée Ter Burg, a seasoned artist and muralist herself, brings an endless dedication and a wealth of overlapping cultural knowledge, and her encouragement, references, and questions are incredibly valuable.
After the expo at Kunstpunt, I want to give the riso prints a new life. In January 2025, they’ll come off The Wall, and then I’ll recycle and bind them into beautifully designed birthday calendars. These can then go “further” into the world, find a new place—perhaps on your wall—and hang in a completely new space. The last bit of technique I’ll be using is a binding machine.
By working out in advance what I want to do, I get a good head start. Of course, this project has a lot of “ins & outs,” and dividing the mural and the riso prints—it's going to be a triptych—took some puzzling, but I actually love that part of the process. I also adjusted the number of prints and their placement in the overall piece to ensure the final installation remains feasible. The first thing I did on the wall was tape off a large 4x4 meter square with painter’s tape. That’s where the mural will go, with prints on either side.
Also not a small one: “Liquid Sunset,” a mural in the entrance hall of Nijestee, measuring 3 x 15 meters. It represents an abstract depiction and feeling of a sunset by the sea, with flowing color fields.
If I can break through "The Wall" in any way. Whatever limiting wall that may be. Looking “further,” staying curious, taking the freedom to do so: all very important. Moving “further” into the future, and especially away from the fearful, grim, conservative behavior that’s starting to resurface in our societies. But also trying to explore the unknown, beyond the imaginary walls we build around ourselves that hold us back. I don’t mean to sound preachy, by the way. These are things I also try to keep in check for myself. But still, expanding consciousness is absolutely one of the core motivations in my practice, and I’m always looking for the best way to express that visually.
Jop Luberti will be working on The Wall #5 until November 2. You can follow his work process at Kunstpunt from Wednesday to Saturday between 12:00 and 17:00.
Join us for the Art Talk about the project on Friday, November 8 at 5 p.m. at Kunstpunt.