Cow

Atelier van Lieshout was started by the Dutch artist Joep van Lieshout. His studio employs about twenty people. They make very large sculptures in a warehouse at the Rotterdam harbor. When you go there you can see the employees busy welding, making molds and casting.

Most people have a romantic view of life as an artist, working all alone in an attic somewhere. Sometimes this is true, but there are lots of artists who have people working for them in studios. Hundreds of years ago the Flemish painter Pieter Paul Rubens had people working for him too. He would think of ideas for his paintings and often put the finishing touches on them. Today artists like Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons have similar practices.

Some people think of Joep’s art as shocking. His works can be vulgar, uncomfortable or disgusting. A journalist once asked Joep if he wanted to throw bombs on society with his art. Joep said ‘no, they are more like firecrackers’.  

Want to know more about this work of art? Start a conversation with one of our employees or a visitor. They will be happy to share their knowledge and thoughts on this object. And to hear yours of course!