During the program “Publishing as art practice” at Rijksakademie I presented books of people who made a book for themselves. Not to please an audience, but just a book about something they love themselves.
At a certain point someone from the audience asked me if I got supported during my graduation. I told them it was not the case. Instead I was discouraged in a mean way. Because I didn’t want to fit in their (Martin Parr/KABK photography) world, the only world they knew. I also talked very honestly about what is wrong with art education. While talking I didn’t know the former head of the photography department was in the audience. Afterwards she came to me and it felt really good she heard all my words.
In the end I think I was lucky to be not supported. This way it challenged me to listen to myself and be proud without justification of others.