About.
‘Hi there, I’m Joanna!
I create my objects through a collaborative process of a custom interview and a visual taste test.
To construct my Odes I work with local, skilled artisans that can create anything I come up with.
So sky’s the limit.’
For many years I worked as creative director for many festivals and in the Dutch nightlife, this is where my original company name De Nachtvlinders (The Nocturnal Butterflies) came from. Next to that one, I also founded Fountain of Ideas when I was letting go of my first company name as the nightlife hadn't been part of my work for years, this is around the same time when I stumbled upon a beautiful butterfly in Paris.
Somewhere hidden in the 7th arrondissement on the top floor of an antique curiosity shop, I instantly had a vision. A vision of a butterfly coming out of a Pilot fineliner pen.
When I got home, I knew I had to bring this vision to life because it was an ode to the concepts I had written for De Nachtvlinders, the perfect way to honour where it had brought me but also to symbolise my new phase of letting it go and making a fresh start.
It was the first time I made something non-commissioned. And this is how the first seed for Custom Ode was planted. Then it grew and grew, now little over a three years later, here we are, twenty nine odes made and more to come. Super excited to see whats next!
My first Ode. An Ode to the concepts I wrote for my company ‘De Nachtvlinders'.
The place where I found the butterfly, that became the beginning of Custom Ode. A hidden little gem called Deyrolle on the top floor of a magical shop in the 7th district of Paris.
Exhibitions.
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When I just started Custom Ode, I got invited to take part in Art Festival Heusden. The theme was "HEAD" and I made a self portrait and a collection of smaller metal wire portraits.
They gave me my own little windmill, for the whole weekend, and I filled two floors with my work.
My self portrait:
https://www.customodes.com/customode/my-life-under-the-loupe
The Art Festival:
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Bunker Exhibition No 46.
The Shadow Has Two Faces.
July 8th till July 24 ‘22.
I took visitors on a trip through my life. Past and present and showed them how I became me. From being born a Jehovahs Witness to breaking free, discovering the world and my place in it.
I filled three rooms in a World War II bunker, hidden in a lovely rose garden in the Westbroekpark of The Hague.
https://www.customodes.com/customode/bunker-exhibition-no-46
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Artist Casper Strietman showcased his series on the missing nightlife culture in Amsterdam clubs
Artist Casper Strietman showcased his series on the missing nightlife culture in Amsterdam clubs during Covid at Singel 84 in Amsterdam
Artist Casper Strietman showcased his series on the missing nightlife culture in Amsterdam clubs during Covid at Singel 84 in Amsterdam. I was invited to display my portraits, resulting in a
Artist Casper Strietman showcased his series on the missing nightlife culture in Amsterdam clubs during Covid at Singel 84 in Amsterdam. I was invited to display my portraits, resulting in a blend of dynamism and calm
Artist Casper Strietman showcased his series on the missing nightlife culture in Amsterdam clubs during Covid at Singel 84 in Amsterdam. I was invited to display my portraits, resulting in a blend of dynamism and calmness.
Duration: 1 month
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Pop-up gallery in de Pijp, Amsterdam, with artists '' Marc Amsterdam' and 'Nathalie Soetens'.
Duration: 1 week
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How I Work.
All items are made by hand and I assemble them in my studio in Amsterdam. The tailored odes are a combination of found treasures and handcrafted tokens by either myself or local and experienced artisans. All this to perfectly translate your stories or memories into timeless contemporary art pieces.