After launching eight years ago in Lisbon, art residency La Junqueira is opening its second location in Lille in November with founder Stéphane Mulliez amplifying the project’s social impact even further through the inclusion of an intergenerational co-living space.
Photography by Karel Balas showcasing the interiors of the co-living spaces within La Junqueira Lille, the second venue for the art residency set up by Stephane Mulliez
Words by Roddy Clarke
‘Art serves as a universal language that transcends cultural and generational barriers, fostering connections among individuals from diverse backgrounds,’ states ceramicist Stéphane Mulliez, also the founder of La Junqueira, a Lisbon-based artist residency. And, in a world where connection and community are needed more than ever, Mulliez’s mission behind her project is a much-needed injection of optimism, especially as she looks to open a second residency in Lille in November. In bringing people together through the provision of a space for artists to reflect and create, this secondary phase of the project is set to expand on the project’s ability to enhance community with the venue also serving as a co-living space that focuses on accessibility and intergenerational connection.
Photography by Karel Balas showcasing the exterior of La Junqueira Lille, located 20 minutes from the city centre
Opening the doors to La Junqueira in Lisbon eight years ago, Mulliez is returning to the city where her family roots lie with this new venture in Lille. Chosen for its vibrancy and proximity to Paris and Belgium, locations awash with cultural institutions, she hopes to bring her passion for art to the city while creating new connections that continue to provide inspiration for her creative endeavours. ‘What keeps me alive is art,’ she says.
While centred on art, the deeper resonance of the Lille residency and its co-living spaces are set to showcase how the world of design and art can be pivotal in fostering community while creating accessible spaces that could reshape cities for generations to come. ‘It is crucial to create inclusive spaces that invite dialogue and interaction between different age groups,’ she comments, ‘and design plays a vital role in shaping such environments.’ La Junqueira Lille will consist of four apartments for long-term tenants who have an appreciation for art. Benefitting from affordable rents aligned to local public housing rates, the hybrid living space will also welcome a visual artist to take residence for a three-month period, once a year. Resulting in an exhibition, publication and a donation of a piece to the space, the aim is to bring about intergenerational and cultural exchange. ‘This will be achieved through community events, workshops, and collaborative art projects that encourage participation from all generations,’ Mulliez continues.
Photography by Karel Balas showcasing the founder of La Junqueira, Stephane Mulliez whose passion for art and connection is coming to Lille in November
With the design of the space intentionally facilitating connection, Mulliez explains how there will be communal areas for gathering, creative workshops and rooms for casual conversation. ‘The focus on communal spaces alongside private apartments encourages residents of various ages to engage with each other, reinforcing intergenerational relationships and generating a vibrant community atmosphere.’
Photography by Francisco Nogueira showcasing the original La Junqueira art residency in Lisbon which opened eight years ago
The monthly program of events will also be shaped by the suggestions of residents. From talks, to workshops and film screenings, the cultural hub will foster a diverse range of themes with its artists-in-residence invited to explore intergenerational dialogues. Located just 20 minutes from the city centre, the venue also boasts a vegetable garden in which residents can grow their own produce. The interiors of the communal areas have been curated by Muillez herself, featuring textile hangings by The Crafties, the ‘Belt’ Light by the Bouroulllec brothers and artworks and ceramics from her own collection.
Photography by Karel Balas showcasing the studio space within La Junqueira Lille where artists are invited to freely create and work from for 3 months at a time
Opening to the public at the end of each residency, La Junqueira Lille is set to inject a creative energy to the city that emanates a community-driven positivity. Mulliez also hopes to build creative bridges between the two cities by exploring cultural exchanges between resident artists. ‘Through shared experiences with art, people can engage in meaningful conversations, express emotions, and relate to one another in profound ways,’ she says. ‘Art encourages collaboration, allowing artists and community members to work together, which fosters a sense of belonging and unity. In the context of La Junqueira, art becomes a medium for residents and artists to connect intergenerationally, facilitating exchanges of ideas and insights that enrich both the individuals and the community.’ As we consider how cities of the future might evolve, and the prospect of such spaces becoming commonplace within neighbourhoods, could this play a vital role in the strengthening of connections not only locally but also globally, allowing us to engage, interact, appreciate and respect the diverse cultures of an international society. In seeing art as a tool for connection in this way it fills me with optimism that, through a creative lens, we can create spaces through which open dialogue can thrive, drawing us together at a time when we need it the most.
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