we started our work by wanting to graduate together from the Master Fine Arts at HKU (NL) , 2021 while P. wanted to forget , K. wanted to remember . from this opposites , we dived into very emotional conversations about family and memories . conversations leading towards an intense relationship that became so rooted that we have done many things together until today.
P. , Parvaneh Karimi , born and raised in Iran ( 1983 ) , currently based in the Netherlands , and working in the Netherlands .
K. , Karen Vantvelt , born and raised in Belgium ( 1986 ) , currently based in Belgium , and working in Belgium and the Netherlands .
through spending time together we went beyond friendship towards sisterhood . in many stages of our work, we have faced many challenges ; most of our challenges are caused by cultural differences, but we always try to face them with open arms , very honestly . ( not always easy ) .
our practice can be understood as some kind of memory work with the goal to document both artist’s exploration of their own memories and upbringings . however , throughout this process , we also note the existence of public memories .
there is only one commitment , during all the recognition and the struggles , the space we need for emotions and growth , we agreed that we don't want to leave each other behind , even when it feels extremely difficult .
from here , our collective experiences seem to flow within and through our own explorations where the personal and the public appear to serve each other , and that is what is so strange , complicated , but so fun about , we , working together : being together is how we try to understand each other and the world beyond , with all its complications and complexities from different perspectives . both , alone , and together .