Second Prize Amsterdam International Art Fair (AIAF)

The Amsterdam international Art Fair at the monumental Beurs van Berlage was again a great experience, organised by Joelle Dinnage's Global Art Agency, with hundreds of participating artists and more than a thousand art works.
It also has an award ceremony, where a recognised jury picks the best artists of the whole exhibition.
Last edition my exhibition partner Anna-Lisa Unkuri became third,  and I felt that this year contributions showed even more craft and ideas, so my expectations were managed. The award ceremony was exciting and jury chairman and famous sculpture Ruurd Hallema honoured many artists, mentioning their striking skills, their wonderful artistic themes and personalities. And then the awards…
Third prize for… Jan Aanstoor & Laura Rominu
Second prize for…. Maurice van Tilburg - Glimne
And while I was still digesting things on the podium the winner was announced: Steven Thoelen.

Great to have such recognition by the jury.

Of course extra special in a time where I am still having a busy job as CEO of the Amsterdam stock exchange, where I again became father some 3 months ago of my 5th child, my wife has helped me by supporting my artistic dreams, my oldest son Mart helping me build the stand and composing the wall-of-drawings that was so successful. Feels like new doors are opening, especially knowing that many of the previous winners had an international career afterwards.

GAA CEO Joelle Dinnage, jury chairman Ruurd Hallema, jury member Gena Johns 

and all prize winners showing their Outstanding Award Certification

Winning an award is thrilling and as an artist can be important recognition.

Yet most important is the opportunity to exchange ideas and insights with other artists and art connaisseurs.

It was most inspiring to meet and have long conversations with Yvonne and Ruurd Hallema.

I felt an enormous click when exchanging about the concepts, and I feel admiration for what they have achieved in their gallery and sculptures respectively.

The wall-of-drawings showing freely made street art drawings as part of the Creative Spam concept was highly successful. Many people were attracted by it, and after striking a conversation they were very open to the more complex concepts like Hidden Sacrifice and Decomplexify. 

It was great to have Ruurd & Yvonne Hallema as well as Gena Johns very interested by the drawings, and I was happy to allow them picking a drawing as a souvenir. The drawings were for sharing anyway.
All in all a successful and inspiring event which we finished by posting many Creative Spam art works between 0:00 and 03:00 in the night in beautiful Amsterdam.