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So, we just cross the street, here in the Palmdwarstraat.
And then we come...and, there is Michael. Michael!
Welcome.
Thank you. How are you doing?
Good, thank you.
You have a wonderful studio, great. And Michael, for people who don't know you, I think they
probably know your work. You have a gigantic work hanging in the Concertgebouw.
Yes, indeed.
And you're an artist from New York who has moved here into the heart of the Jordaan.
Why is that actually?
Uhhhh, it's a long story but I'll try keep it really short.
In 1982, I was nearly finished with the Art Academy in New York. I was working as a waiter
in a restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. There I met two Dutch businessmen. One invited me
to come to the Netherlands to paint a portrait of his two sons. And he became my sponsor
and the same year, 1982, I was in the Stan Huygens Journal (Famous column in the Dutch
newspaper 'De Telegraaf') because he (my sponsor) organized my first exposition. And that's
how it all began.
And you've been back and forth a lot?
Yeah, back and forth a lot.
How long have you been here in this fine location?
Almost 3 years. This was the studio of Ger van Elk, a famous Dutch artist. And I was
told by my gallery that he intended to move and would this [studio] be something for Michael.
And I said "Yes, of course."
Huh, wow that is some story indeed. Now, judge the work for yourself.
Yeah, I went through my inventory to see if I could find something for you for 'the streets
of Amsterdam' and this is the Beethovenstraat and there on the other side is the Prinsegracht.
That's this one?
Yeah, this one I can picture this one a bit better. The Beethoven one is a bit abstract.
Yes, from above. Seen from off the roof of a friend of mine.
Do you take a photo or how do you...?
No, I make some drawings and then later I also make some notes, a sort of poetry,
to get my feelings down, to describe the atmosphere, and then I come to work it out here.
But I mean, New York, that's a city that's just without argument the top, such a photogenic
city and everything, and a source of inspiration for many artists. Isn't this here a bit,
well, you know, to compare it with New York!... No, no. Because I immediately found Amsterdam
to be very intimate and very unique. That's what I think about Amsterdam. New York is
very busy, very fast, and I find it better here to get in touch with myself. To have
my own thoughts and to stay with myself, to be honest. And so I exhibit in New York and
work here.
Unbelievable. And ING [ING BAnk Art Collection] also has a lot of your work?
ING has collected a lot my works. Something like 140 pieces in total or so.
And don't you think that, well, I could imagine that, as an artist, you are incredibly proud
of a new masterpiece and think "Wow that's a....." It sounds a bit narcissistic but that you're
a bit moved by your own art or not?
No no. Actually I'm more inspired by others. I was just in St. Petersburg Russia last week
and there were rooms full of Matisse and I just stood really in tears in the middle of
the gallery because it was just so beautiful.
What is it that moves or you or can you not describe it?
Yeah, it is mainly the intention of the artist. Especially with Matisse you really see that
he is someone who worked very hard and his use of color and someone who developed his
own language and espresses himself in such a beautiful manner and then your just totally moved.
And coming back, you're busy for months with a piece and...
No, no, not months!
Not months? How long then?
Actually here you see on the walls all of the covered up canvases. I'll actually probably
have an exhibition in May or June with my main gallery in the Netherlands, Borzo, on
the Keizersgracht.
And they're all covered up because I'm working on them. And most of the time I'll have six
or seven pieces going..
And do you find it hard to separate yourself from them?
No, no. That's the only way for me. I come into the studio, look around, and see who
needs my attention and then I know what I have to do.
And Mr. Ryan, in conclusion, the Palmdwarstraat, as an artist, how would you describe it?
[Ha,Ha] Cozy. Cozy. When I first came to the Jordaan, I thought this is the Greenwich Village
of Amsterdam and that's where I lived in New York, so I felt immediately right at home
here.
Would you ever consider moving?
Sorry?
Would you ever consider moving out of the Jordaan?
No, at some point you have to stop somewhere and this is a very nice to stop.
I thank you for the conversation, an honor to speak with you and if you would like
to see more work, you can go to the Concertgebouw and in the middle year you have a show in?
At [Gallery] Borzo. In June or May probably of this year.
OK,please keep us informed and thank you very much.
Thank you Pieter.
Wonderful, really.
We really got lucky here.
'Hey! Hi'