‘Gratitude that I’m still here’
“If I had not started painting, I would definitely have done something in fashion,” says Ans Markus in the brand new Elegance. We photographed the artist in couture in her studio and spoke to her about her work and her life after a difficult period of illness.
Exhibition
After a difficult period – Ans Markus was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020 – peace is returning. The artist has taken up painting again, and we are guests in her studio where we also photographed her. ‘A very nice day. I wasn’t very familiar with Achmed Oso of Oso Couture. He makes beautiful things, so I definitely plan to cycle to his studio soon and see more of his work.’
Ans looks at 150 portraits that she has painted, which hung in her retrospective exhibition at Museum Slager in Den Bosch earlier this year. The nine-meter-wide work can now be seen in her exhibition space. The 150 young people who insist on it illustrate that it should not matter what orientation, skin color or religion you have. ‘An important fact to remember, especially in a troubled world with conflicts and wars. They really affect me, just like many others do.’
What was it like to exhibit again?
‘It was a very successful exhibition in a not so large museum, so that was manageable for me and very fun to do. I received an offer to do a larger exhibition, but I couldn’t handle that last year. You are still trying to get better, so you have to do your best to save your strength. On the other hand, my head wants a lot, so it took some time to find out what works and what doesn’t.’
Yet you have not been idle during the recovery period
‘Certainly not! I made perspex brooches and wrote the book What If… myself (available via ansmarkus.nl). In it I tell you how I endured my period of illness and how grateful we can be for the good medical knowledge of this moment. If I had gotten sick twenty years ago, I probably wouldn’t have survived. So ‘what if’ such a disease happens to you, but also ‘what if’ you don’t listen carefully to your body. That’s extremely important to remember.”
How did you feel about this unpleasant period?
‘Gratitude. Gratitude that I’m still here. Grateful that I have already had a wonderful life. I will be 77 years old in January and I realize that I have already enjoyed a long time. In which I was able to do what I wanted to do, despite ups and downs. Listening to your body is therefore important not only for old people, but also for young people. How many young women and mothers I have seen in the hospital. Still a whole life ahead of them and all the same bald heads and the question: will it be okay?’
You can read the entire interview with Ans Markus in the new Elegance. Now in stores!
Text: Jorrit Niels | Photography: Nine IJff | Creative Director: Pedro Dias
