Tours 
Sometimes you just need a little push. For Yawns, the Blind Walls Talent Call was just that. With his exhibition Bored to Death, he completes the trajectory, but at the same time opens the door to something new.
Last Thursday 5 June, Yawns’ exhibition Bored to Death opened – the new name under which illustrator and artist Ivo Janss will work from now on. Yawns, a playful distortion of his surname, captures the imagination more than his previous name. “I had been walking around with that idea for a while,” Ivo explains. “But changing your name feels like a big step. Now I figured that this is the right moment. Sometimes you just have to do it.”
The exhibit is the finale of the first-ever Blind Walls Talent Call, in which five young artists are given a year-long opportunity to experiment with murals and work towards their own exhibition. For Ivo, his participation was exactly the push he needed. “I wanted to create more paintings alongside my design and illustration commissions. Previously, I thought it was a waste of time to paint for ‘fun’ because I didn’t know if anyone would like it or buy it. But now I see that I have to let go of that feeling and trust myself.” His work fell into good taste; shirts, prints and original works were sold during the opening. “That felt like an acknowledgement. For me, the exhibition was already a success,” says Ivo. “I hope to look back in a year’s time and think: that was a great start.”
Foto door Rob Lipsius
Experiment
A year ago, Ivo was selected as one of five talents in the Blind Walls Talent Call. His work is best described as bold, weird and colourful – bright, graphic compositions often reminiscent of distorted still lifes. As a freelance designer, Yawns often works alone. The Talent Call offered exactly what he was looking for: contact with other creative people, guidance and the space to expand his skills. The course gave him the chance to play with different materials, formats and techniques. Acrylic paint remains his favourite medium, but he also discovered the joy of oil pastels and spray paint.
Although Ivo already had some experience with murals, the big piece at festival Ploegendienst was his first really big mural. Luckily, he could turn to coach Bruce TMC with all his questions, who introduced him to useful tools and techniques to work more efficiently. His painting stood out and was even voted favourite by the festival audience. As the winner, Ivo not only got to design a new Ploegendienst shirt, but was also asked to create a completely new identity for the festival. “I came across a big Ploegendienst banner in Breda the other day by chance,” he says. “Super cool to see your own work reflected in public. That’s why you do it.”
Fresh start
All the experiences and growth of the past year have given Yawns a hefty dose of self-confidence. Meanwhile, Blind Walls Gallery feels like a new homecoming, a place that encourages him to keep painting and keep searching. Although his solo exhibition is the official end of the Talent Call trajectory, it mostly feels like a new beginning for him.
Written by: Anne van Bree
The Blind Walls Talent Call is made possible by Keep an Eye Foundation, Gemeente Breda, Provincie Noord-Brabant, Verfplaza and Kairos Events.
Foto door Rob Lipsius