In mid-2026, a new studio is put into use on the island of Teshima in Japan. Dutch artists can go there for periods of six weeks.
Now on Teshima: Cas van Deurssen
Residency information > Teshima
VINCENT’S DREAM
Vincent van Gogh was a traveller. During his formative years and working life, he travelled to towns and the countryside across the Netherlands, Belgium, France and England. At the height of his career as a painter, he went to the south of France, where he established the Yellow House in Arles, a place to live and work alongside like-minded artists. His dream was to travel to Japan, but that was beyond his reach. In his thoughts, however, he was often there. He studied Japanese woodblock prints, collecting hundreds of them, and in his letters to Theo he philosophised at length about the inspiration he drew from Japanese culture. As a painter, he most liked to compare himself to the way a Japanese farmer relates to nature.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE
Not only did Vincent love Japan, but the Japanese are also mad about Van Gogh. Through the ‘artist-in-residence’ programme Van Gogh AiR, the Vincent van Gogh House in Zundert seeks collaboration with various partners within Van Gogh Europe. We are now extending this exchange to Japan. To make this a permanent feature, we have sought a permanent location for a studio in Japan. This has been found on the island of Teshima, one of the art islands where the Setouchi Triennale takes place once every three years. Here, Van Gogh AiR will realise Vincent’s Dream through the establishment of The Yellow House in Japan. A place where Dutch artists can work (together) and engage with Japanese culture and artists. With this initiative, we are aligning ourselves with Vincent’s ideals and building a cultural bridge between the Netherlands and Japan.
‘Teshima as the new Deshima’
TESHIMA
Teshima is an island in the Seto Inland Sea. Together with Naoshima, it forms part of the group of art islands where the Setouchi Triennale takes place once every three years. A museum and various art projects have been realised on the island, including works by Christiaan Boltanski, Shinro Ohtake and Tadanori Yooko. The local population of Teshima is engaged in fishing and the cultivation of lemons and olives. The island’s cultural development is partly supported by Amuse, a Japanese company active in entertainment and cultural projects, which has made an old building belonging to the fishing co-operative available to Van Gogh AiR. Downstairs is a large workspace that can also be used as an exhibition space. Upstairs is a spacious Japanese-style bedroom.
Information: [email protected]
Van Gogh AiR Teshima is made possible by Amuse and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
To connect and support the future of this unique initiative Van Gogh AiR erected the Yellow House Club
