New year, new artists! This past January marked the official start of a year-long trajectory that artist Ster Borgman is realizing within the context of VHDG LOKAAL. Under the title Fries Blauw (Frisian Blue), Ster investigates natural pigments and materials from the Frisian soil, with a special focus on the pigment Frisian blue. By delving into the pigments found in the ground of Friesland, Ster aims to explore how they shape the identity and history of the region. The project consists of artistic research, art activities, and a concluding exhibition in the autumn of 2026.
Over VHDG Lokaal Since 2025, our artist-in-residence program has taken a new direction under the name VHDG Lokaal. In this revamped setup, artists, duos, and collectives work closely with local communities. By choosing an embedded approach, we provide space for process-oriented projects over a longer period, including unique workshops, events, and exhibitions. Artists commit themselves for an entire year, giving them the time to build sustainable relationships with their environment and the people within it. We believe that this extended engagement not only enhances the quality of the work but also fosters more reciprocal collaborations. In this approach, artistic research, production, public participation, and presentations are of equal importance, leading to a more inclusive and collaborative creative process.
Frisian Blue During the residency, Ster focuses on the pigment known as Frisian blue. Where exactly does it come from? How was it extracted, and what processes are required to use it? This blue pigment, based on cobalt oxide, was applied in (tile) paintings and was, on the one hand, a status symbol within Harlingen pottery, and on the other hand, inextricably linked to colonial history and the appropriation of land and raw materials. Historically, cobalt used in the Netherlands was imported from mining regions in Northern Germany and subsequently processed in the Netherlands. To date, there is no evidence that cobalt was mined within the Netherlands itself, although this will be further investigated during the research period.
Through location visits and conversations with experts, Ster is investigating whether cobalt can still be found in the Frisian soil today, with the aim of using it as a pigment. If local cobalt is unavailable, an alternative could be to use old devices, such as recycled batteries, to obtain the pigment. In addition to the pigment research, Ster is also exploring glassmaking techniques using Frisian raw materials such as sand, silica, and lime. Ster creates glass sheets incorporating homemade pigments, experimenting at the intersection of glass and ceramics.
Alchemy as an artistic practice Ster often uses the term alchemy to describe their artistic process. With this, Ster aims to bring together and transform the chemistry of natural processes, their stories, and their historical impact up to the present day. Ster creates pigments from materials gathered during walks and experiments with oxides from scrap metals, crushed stone, and plant-based dyes. Driven by an interest in the borderland between science and magic, Ster hopes to connect the audience with elements of the non-human natural world.
Save the date! The art project Fries Blauw will conclude with a duo exhibition at VHDG, together with fellow VHDG Lokaal participant Benjamin Li and their project. The opening will take place on October 30th at 17:00. Mark your calendar and join us in celebrating the completion of their projects!
