What is your specialty, what makes your work unique? Or place your artist's statement.

Ronja’s work is always about a different human perspective on daily matter. This involves time, systems, and nature. The images she creates look minimalistic, but consist of a complex concept. Additionally, the details, aesthetic, and craftmanship are an important factor in her process. This is depicted in all her illustrations, objects, and videos. Ronja is able to translate abstract matter into something understandable. This is achieved by creating a surrealistic scene. Close to reality, but also not. That is exactly the environment that you need to tell an abstract story. For her graduation project she chose to use scale models in combination with stop motion and 360° videos to help create that world. The viewers are challenged to reflect on what they see, no matter how simple it seems to be.

What are your ambitions? What do you want to be in five years?

In 5 years I want to work either as an editor for a publisher or become a lecturer.. or both! In order to get there I will start a pre-masters and masters at VU Amsterdam in Art’s & Culture. I want to keep building my business as a freelance illustrator and goldsmith too. This summer I will be lecturing a masterclass in making zines at Buitenkunst and I will be able to open the commissions for jewelry and illustrations again as well! I have a background in theater and I would like to combine theater and my (video) art in the future as well. In September I will start an internship at Jap Sam Books, and if the borders open again, I will study at Kyushu University for half a year too before I will start my pre-masters in Amsterdam.

What is the most important thing you have learned during your studies?

I did not expect my study to be like this. I learned that we, the creators of the future determine how the workfield is going to look like. Illustration is more about a certain way of communication than it is strictly about drawing. Because of this for example I am able to graduate with a video work. I am also able to apply my way of thinking and working on a lot of situations in the future because I do not feel restricted in any way.