What do you see when you envision the future of the Belgian creative scene? For us, we see diverse, unique perspectives, representative of the world around us. That is exactly why we have been working on our 20-something issues since 2014. These editions feature 20 people in their (pre-)twenties who are a guide, an inspiration or an Earlybird for the young generation of today in Belgium. It is the greatest honour to step into the minds of some of the most innovative young people in Belgium; and learn about their dreams, fears, inspirations and even their celebrity crushes. This year’s list was co-curated with Kevin Kotahunyi, founder of Please Add Color.
Agneskena
she/her, 27, visual artist, Brussels
What do we & our readers need to remember about you?
I love people, but I’m scared of them at the same time.
What do you hope to communicate through your photography?
Consciously I would say that I want to share a story and a feeling and unconsciously I’m probably trying to share how I look at the world.
Do you usually shoot in analogue?
Shooting analogue is my first reflex but I’m learning to appreciate and value digital photography more because there is a lot of beauty in it.
Is it important for the subject of your photography to be similar to you?
Working with people that share the same values makes it easier to connect while working together. It is just reassuring when the whole thing just flows without having to force or doubt anything.
What artists are you listening to at the moment?
The sun is finally pushing through and Amaarae’s album The Angel You Don’t Know is really filled with sounds that match the weather.
What makes your heart go faster these days?
Thinking about the trip I’m planning with my family this summer in July… I will probably come back as a changed woman.
What are you doing daily at 9pm/9am?
I’m going to be very honest haha at 9am on a ‘regular’ day I’m either still sleeping or in bed… I’m definitely not a morning person but if I have to, I’ll wake up early and be on time.
What’s your personal utopia?
That’s a difficult question to answer because as I grow, my idea of a ‘perfect’ world keeps changing… But to keep it short and extra cheesy I think that it would be nice if there was some type of general serenity and equality in the world.
As I grow, my idea of a ‘perfect’ world keeps changing
What brings you satisfaction?
That must be a very common thing but when do things work out as planned? I wouldn’t say that I’m a control freak or a perfectionist but there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing your ideas/visions coming to life just as you imagined/wanted them to.
How do you relax?
I am still figuring that one out but for me relaxing is more of a state of mind than just being physically at rest or doing something calming. I could be taking a bath but stressing about a deadline haha, that’s not relaxing, but the idea definitely was to blow off some steam. I can only relax when I empty my head, and that doesn’t happen too often. I’m an absolute overthinker, my brain is working overtime.
What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people?
Seeing my lovely goldfish Abra being his beautiful self every time I wake up. I genuinely love him.
What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time?
In 10 years, I would love to own my own studio that other creatives could use as a safe space to inspire, create, learn and teach. That way I’ll continuously be in touch with different realities and keep discovering things and hopefully still growing in my own artistry (however I’ll express it by then).
What is the latest/future project you are working on?
My next project will be a follow up to one of my previous projects Is that your sister?
What will the second part of 2022 bring you?
If God grants me more life, I’ll be on the other side of the planet living my best life!
What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately?
When a situation feels uncomfortable and makes you unhappy, most of the time it’s better to let go than to hold on for any possible reason.
Is there anyone in your scene who needs more attention?
All creatives that create from the heart and have a message to share with the world deserve more attention.
Comfort food/speciality dish?
Food from my motherland Congo can’t be topped honestly! Give me some makemba, pondu, makayabu, kamundele, thompson, ntaba na kwanga,... hahaha! I also love my Flemish specialities like ‘stoofvlees’ or ‘mosselen met frietjes’. I could eat that every day!
I also love my Flemish specialities like ‘stoofvlees’ or ‘mosselen met frietjes’
Celebrity crush?
I don’t know if that’s the definition of a ‘crush’ but every time I see Ryan Destiny, Zoë Kravitz or Adwoa Aboah I’m like damn…
Most irrational fear?/Most rational fear?
My most irrational fear must be that people will read my mind if I let them look into my eyes… The fact that this is a permanent thought in my head when I talk with people is actually problematic because that makes communicating very complicated sometimes. I think that’s why photography became my natural outlet.
If you were a cartoon character in a show, what would be your uniform?
Definitely a maxi oversized dress with long sleeves and sneakers or a maxi skirt with an oversized shirt.
What were you like as a child?
I was chaotic in silence… Very tomboyish, as in, crying when my mom would try to make me wear a dress. Sometimes she looks at me and says: ‘When I see you wearing dresses and heels it amazes me because when you were a child you hated that.’ That’s actually crazy because now I couldn’t imagine a life without dresses!
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
The first thing that came to my mind was ‘invisibility’ but those are my insecurities taking a hold of me. I think I would say being able to speak every language in the world, must feel great.
What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
My iron… If you know me, you know! There are many other more obvious things, but my iron definitely is on my top 10 of unmissable things.
If there was a book about your life, what would the title be?
How to not do anything but still get yourself in trouble: A guideline.
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