Artists in Residence
“PLOP was a truly wonderful and unique experience and I am so grateful to have been a part of it! PLOP was especially helpful for building a network abroad. I came to London not knowing anyone there, yet I left feeling like, through PLOP, I was introduced to a incredible network of kind, supportive and encouraging people. I would say that the moment this all sunk in for me was at the residency final show - I took a minute to look around the room and was surrounded by so many new friends and familiar faces. A huge thank you to Oli and Aindrea for their generosity and continued support!!”
“The highlight of PLOP, for me personally, was the weight it’s name held in London and the countless doors it opened as far as networking goes. Within the London scene, it seemed as if even being able to say you were in town for PLOP immediately caused others to take you and the dedication to your craft more serious. You were no longer just another artist but rather one that had applied to an international pool, been selected, and flown across the world to attend—and it was like the entire London scene understood that. People respected and embraced this, welcoming all of us without hesitation. Being a “plopper” allowed for countless studio visits, collector introductions, and gallerist walkthroughs that might not have been so accessible otherwise.”
“During my residency at PLOP I was able to develop my ideas into 3 dimensional works and test their potential for the performances I was working on. Not only was I given space and time, there was enormous support from all of the artists involved. The studio is set in the business district of London an unlikely habitat for artists, yet Oli and Aindrea who run PLOP enabled us to encounter this aspect of London life we hadn’t experienced before. I highly recommend the residency - If only time didn’t go so quick.”
"Working at plop Residency was a real delight. I’ve been used to work in a studio alongside other fellow artists in Paris so I expected an enriching experience at Plop and I would say that it went way beyond my expectations. Plop is truly unique, at the very first second you get in, you feel like being part of the Plop community. The other residents and the hosts became my new family in London, we had great discussions about art, exhibitions reviews, painting techniques, performances, music, movies, travels...
What also makes PLOP Residency incomparable is the generosity of the Plop hosts : Oli Epp and Aindrea Emelife.
Oli has his studio next to PLOP’s, so when you need anything he’s just nearby and ready to help!
And at the end of the day, Oli or Aindrea, or both just popped into the studio and brought us to show openings and other london delights. It felt like being genuinely connected to the London art scene. And I’m highly grateful for all I’ve lived during this month.
During PLOP Residency you cannot get bored ! Time is running million miles per hour !"
“I wanted to thank you a lot for the amazing four weeks I had at PLOP residency. I met so many wonderful and fascinating people. Networking wise it was such a big chance for me. I connected with so many artists and collectors which I am still in touch with. I feel that PLOP was the first time that I realised I finally made it into the art world. Two years ago I had that wild idea to quit everything just for the sake of art and still, my surrounding at home doesn't really understand what and why I am doing that. PLOP gave me the confidence and trust that everything I am believing in is right. At last, I've met the kids on the playground, with whom I wanna play with. Artists :) I am especially grateful that I had that lovely evening with you Oli and Benjamin Spiers. He is one of the artists I am truly admiring. Same with John Greenwood. I was so flattered when he came to our studio just to tell me his ideas he had made in terms of my art. I learned so much from the conversations. I think PLOP was also the first time when I started talking about my own art. The tutorial with Rosalind awakened me as suddenly I had the feeling that I can not communicate and put my thoughts and feelings into clear words. Which of course was because English is not my mother tongue but also because I've never been to an art school and learned to talk about my art. But even this moment I discovered as a huge step forward because now I start scrutinising myself a lot more and try to formulate my ideas in order to be able to express them. I would never have noticed that without this conversation. PLOP and London felt almost like an overdose of the drug called art. And now I am even more addicted and need more.”
“The PLOP Residency experience has been added to my very short list of things that have caused a transition in the way I work and think about my practice, and art as a whole (in the best possible way). The time spent in London at PLOP was invaluable, for many different reasons. The community within the studio that inevitably solidifies and blossoms is something that can take a life-time to occur, but here it happened quick and naturally, and the result of that is having forever-friends with a common experience. PLOP allowed me to work and explore a city that I had never been to, and throughout the duration, I was able to learn new modes of making and thinking from industry professionals and talented individuals. The relationships formed in and out of the studio has been the most important aspect of the program to me. This place is a hub for community building and creative thinking.
Part of the successful execution of a new Residency program like PLOP, is the fact that young professionals are running it. They think, act and navigate in similar ways that we do, and most importantly can relate to us on a personal and professional level.”
“I had an exceptional time at PLOP. I am grateful that they had given me a base in London during the month of May where I made art. From this perfect location I also ventured out into the city, almost everyday, to see art. More importantly though I am thankful for my new friends; our family of artists curated by PLOP. I am genuinely impressed by the amazing group of people I had the pleasure of working side by side, and of course the hosts’ matchmaking skill in bringing these artists together.
Founders of PLOP are well-known and well-liked in the London art scene, which allowed for some exposure on our part as well. Going to openings and other art related events were an integral part of our daily routine. Art folk welcomed our little PLOP family wherever we went. We also had a number of studio visits by smart and generous people who shared their wisdom.
All in all PLOP was a well-rounded residency with so much to offer that I continue to savour every moment of it as I process a month well spent in every possible art-related way. Finally, I feel like I belong in a group of brilliant individuals who were lucky enough to partake in a wonderful experiment. We are the PLOP alumni!”
“I started my PLOP experience following a bit of a dry-spell and hoping that the change of scenery would shake me out of my slump. What I didn’t expect was how truly inspiring every aspect of the PLOP experience would be. Specifically, the other artists-in-residence were such high-caliber artists and high-caliber people. I didn’t expect I could build such strong bonds with people over such a short period of time, but we did, and I consider myself very lucky in this respect.”
“Think it's really important to get yourself out of the bubble you might not even realize you're in. The residency was a great shake up- being around other amazing artists and getting to know them and their perspectives on things helped keep me open and challenging myself in the studio. And coming from overseas it was great to get to know a part of the art world I wouldn't have found otherwise. Going to openings as a group and meeting other exciting artists together was a real highlight. Really glad to have met this crew and really got a lot out of it that I can bring back into the studio.”
“Having a central London studio for a month from which to meet with artists, collectors and gallerists has been a fantastic opportunity. It was a pleasure to work alongside four talented artists including fellow painter Isaac Mann from NYC, with whom I shared practical knowledge and gained experiences in the London art scene.”
“Having that space in central London was so invaluable, made a tonne of connections, worked alongside some amazing artists and had A LOT of fun in (and out of) the studio.”
“PLOP was an amazing opportunity to work in close proximity with a group of international artists, with help and advice from Oli & Aindrea. There was tonnes of encouragement, loads of introductions, several late nights, brunch & dinner, arguments about Beyonce's best song, and also we found time to make some work...”
“I was motivated to apply for the residency by the urge for a new experience. What I’ve learned is that London’s art scene is quite different than New York. The characteristics of the city and art scene were something I wanted to explore. London and New York are so close and influential to each other and I thought it would be interesting to absorb and learn from the artists I admired abroad.”
“I was familiar with Millie Layton’s work and knew she had attended Oli’s very first residency. When I saw the Instagram announcement for a call for proposals for the month long residency in London I was ecstatic! London is a city I had never been to but always wanted to visit and the chance to have a free studio there for a month was a perfect opportunity to do just that while being able to focus on a new body of work.”
“The end of residency show was a great experience because it gave us an opportunity to invite all the connections we made during our time in London to see our own work.”
“During the tutorials Rosalind Davis really helped me to put words on my work, it was an emotional and important discussion for me and Danny amplified a doubt in me, which i am very interested in : "say yes to the canvas, why not?". I am still processing it.”
“Since the residency I won the Red Mansion Art Prize and I've been on the Red Gate residency in Beijing for the Month of September. I've got a show coming up on the Kings Road in Chelsea in November as well as a show with the Ingram Collection at the Cello Factory and Curious Duke Gallery in Shoreditch. I'm also planning my solo show at Lungley Gallery in 2019 as well as a show at the Royal Academy in March.”
“During the residency, I made several Oil paintings and Gouache Monotypes, experimenting with different surfaces to test modes of application. From this residency, I have produced work which bridged the gap between the 1st and 2nd year of my MFA at The Rhode Island School of Design. The work made at the Koppel Project has helped to inform and reflect on my current practice as I near completion of my masters.”
"I applied to the residency hoping to learn about what kind of studio I need and how best to move forward. Oli Epp, who set up the residency, was intimately involved with all of the artists on the residency and provided genuine care and support to everyone, he was a great help in my development as an artist and I would recommend the residency to anyone looking to expand their understanding of what it means to be an artist in London today."
“The residency was intensive and really interesting in terms of meeting new people. I got to know a lot of young and talented artists.”
“I would highly recommend taking part in this residency. Not only did it involve having a brilliant studio in a great part of London but it meant I got to meet and work alongside a number of great artists. This helped me to reinvent and refresh my work by also working in a completely different environment.”
“The residency was a great chance for me to work on some more experimental sculptures and finishes without the pressure of anything having to be resolved for a show, so I could really push my work into new floppy dimensions which I’m still working on now at the Royal Academy.”