Artist Valentin Loellmann seeks peace in Maastricht
Raised in Baden-Württemberg, Valentin Loellmann comes from an artistic family and spent his childhood surrounded by nature. He eventually studied at the Maastricht Art Academy, where he further developed his creative passion. He tells you about his connection to Maastricht and the inspirations for his work. We speak to the artist at Café Paulus, where a bench designed by him stands outside.
Meet - Valentin
As a child, Valentin Loellmann loved to visualise and create. It wasn't until he was seven that he went to school for the first time. Before then, he spent as much time as possible in nature. My life was all about being outdoors and building my own world. I was a real child for a very long time.' He changed schools often and had a complicated study period.
Although he considered studying business, he eventually opted for an academy. He enrolled in Maastricht's art academy and was admitted. 'There I had an excuse to spend four years being really creative.' At the time, he lived anti-squatting in the Ridder Brouwerij, where Maastricht beers are now being brewed again.
Valentin and his work are internationally known. Recently, his studio and work was featured extensively in the New York Times Magazine. His artworks are sold through galleries in Paris and South Korea to individuals and museums around the world. The Valentin-designed desk 'Brass' has been in the Elysée Palace, the French president's working palace, since 2021. He also designed the interiors for the Netherlands' first AESOP shop based in Amsterdam and its flagship store in Paris. His house is the only Dutch entry in the Monocle book of HOMES.
Valentin visited Japan several times as a child. Asian cultures are an inspiration for Valentin's art. 'I like the Asian restraint. The culture there is very different from the West. They use different materials in their art and they have a different method of construction.' To create his best work, Valentin needs rest. After wanderings outside the Netherlands, he therefore settled back in Maastricht. Here he can retreat well and focus better than in the hustle and bustle of big cities. Moreover, from Maastricht you can easily reach the peace and greenery of nature, another important source of inspiration for him.
Take Five
Valentin worked behind the bar in café Take Five before and after graduating from art school. 'I always enjoyed working here and meeting special people. Here I could really be myself. You also have to be a bit strange to end up at Take Five in the first place. I like that everyone is allowed to be whoever they want to be there.' The café is located in the city centre, on the corner of Heggestraat and Bredestraat. Black is the dominant colour in the interior and chill music blares from the speakers. During the day you drink a cup of coffee there in an informal atmosphere and in the evening you order a cocktail or stronger drink.
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Take Five
Take Five
Cosy bar in the centre of Maastricht with laid-back music and an all-black interior. More info on Take Five
The Agricultural Interest
The Sphinx Quarter is another place Valentin likes to visit, especially in and around the Landbouwbelang building. The experimental, creative vibe in this part of Maastricht attracts colourful creatives. 'I missed a botanical garden in Maastricht and wanted to create one myself. For this, I thought of the glass greenhouse next to the Landbouwbelang building, but it already had another use.' In the future, the site of the Landbouwbelang building in the Sphinx Quarter will be developed into an entirely new residential and cultural zone along the river Meuse.
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Landbouwbelang | De nieuwe Hall of Fame
Landbouwbelang | De nieuwe Hall of Fame
Landbouwbelang, Maastricht's cultural sanctuary, is the breeding ground for young talent. The place can be found on the river Meuse, located in the Boschstraat district. Landbouwbelang comprises: open studios, workshops, a meeting space and more. More info on Landbouwbelang | De nieuwe Hall of Fame
Coking plant
That botanical garden dream did not come true in Landbouwbelang, but it did in his first studio in the Mariaberg neighbourhood. And at his new studio located in the former coking plant (gas factory), greenery also plays a big role. Valentin was not immediately enthusiastic about this location, because working on a national monument comes with a lot of regulations. 'I want to work from energy, and respond to that.' Nevertheless, he is well on his way to transforming the industrial heritage into a multifunctional location to give back to the community. 'I'm happy when people are happy.' You can see the progress of the renovation on Instagram.
Buitengoed Slavante
In nature, Valentin finds complete relaxation. When he still lived on Lage Kanaaldijk and worked in his studio in Mariaberg, he regularly went for walks at the ENCI quarry and made a stop at Buitengoed Slavante. Even now that he has moved, he still enjoys visiting Sint-Pietersberg (Mount Saint peter). 'Here you walk right into nature and look out over the Meuse River.' On the slope of Sint-Pietersberg (MoSint-Pietersbergergn), there are paths through the greenery where you can take lovely walks. Experience the peace and space in the Jekerdal and on the Caestert plateau. Afterwards, you can enjoy a cup of tea, lunch or dinner in the restaurant in the manor house.
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Buitengoed Slavante
Buitengoed Slavante
Romantic 1846 location on the slope of Sint-Pietersberg (Mount Saint peter) with stunning views of the Meuse and the Meuse valley. More info on Buitengoed Slavante
See Valentin's favourites on the map
More Valentin
Valentin believes in destiny and goes with the flow. So what we can expect from him in the coming years remains a surprise. You can follow his projects on his website. In a while, you will be able to admire his dream image of the Coke Factory in reality.
