Artist Statement
Touch is fundamental to being human – it nurtures, connects, and shapes our sense of belonging. In a digital world where physical contact is becoming more scarce, my art sparks colorful and playful conversations about touch. I introduce the practice of intentional, respectful touch in ways that resonate with all – families, friends, colleagues, and even strangers.
At the heart of my work is the idea of desexualizing touch – removing sexual connotations to reclaim it as a natural, empathetic expression. Physical touch releases oxytocin, the ‘cuddle hormone,’ which fosters trust, reduces stress, and strengthens emotional bonds. Safe, shame-free touch enhances well-being and deepens body awareness.
In my research, I discovered hundreds of studies highlighting the vital role touch plays in various aspects of our lives.
One example is a meta-analysis by the Social Neuroscience Laboratory at Ruhr University Bochum, involving 13,000 participants, highlights the power of skin-to-skin contact in improving organ function, preventing depression and significantly improving restoration during sleep.
In my artistic practice, I integrate touch in three different ways:
- The creative process:
Through sensory experiences like body painting during a photoshoot, I guide participants in exploring self-love and connection. Blindfolded sessions encourage focus on the sensations of their bodies, transforming the process into an exercise of care and presence. - Participatory performances & exhibitions:
During exhibitions and performances, my immersive installations – featuring soothing lilac tones, soft textiles, video, and sculpture – invite visitors to participate in touch-based exercises under my guidance. - Workshops:
In my workshops, participants engage in practical touch-based exercises and collaborative art-making. These sessions focus on fostering self-awareness, improving communication through touch, and building trust in a supportive creative environment.
- The creative process:
By desexualizing touch and celebrating its power to connect us, my work invites you to rethink physical contact as a source of strength, empathy, and joy – while highlighting its proven benefits for mental and physical health.
Let’s use touch to transform!
Bio
Neoza Goffin graduated with a Master in Visual Arts in 2021 from KASK Ghent. Her cross-disciplinary art invites you into a colorful world that overcomes taboos and sparks playful dialogues about touch. It’s her mission to introduce the practice of intentional, respectful touch in ways that resonate with all – families, friends, colleagues, and even strangers.
Her tactile universe, featuring photography, installation, video, textiles, workshops, and performance, has been exhibited internationally at venues like UNSEEN Amsterdam, Imagenation New York & Paris, Fotobiennale Oostende, and Women Biennale Brussels. She has collaborated with partners such as SMAK, TAJO vzw, 0090 Antwerp, VAF, and Kunstendecreet Vlaanderen.
Education
Tribal Tantra, Maldegem, 2020-2021
Master in photography at KASK Ghent, Belgium, 2015 – 2021
Exhibitions
– INNERSKIN (with Sander Bos), 28/09/24 – 29/09/24, 0090 Antwerp Belgium
– PFF Athens 22/05/24 – 26/05/24, Athens
– ImageNation New York, 29/03/24 – 31/03/24, New York
– Paul Delvaux: 5+1, 23/03/24 – 29/09/24, Ten Bogaerde Koksijde Belgium
– Biennale of Women In Art, 18/03/24 – 31/03/24, Brussels Belgium
– PFF Amsterdam 08/02/24 – 13/02/23, Amsterdam
– INPUT/OUTPUT Brugge, 16/11/23 – 07/01/23, CC Brugge Belgium
– ImageNation Paris, 10/11/23 – 12/11/23, Paris
– Queer Arts Festival, 16/11/23 – 09/12/23, Leuven Belgium
– Belgian Art Design Fair, 19/10/23 – 22/10/23, Ghent Belgium
– PhotoBiennale Ostend, 16/09/23 – 12/11/23, Ostend Belgium
– PornFestival Brussels, 05/05/23, Brussels Belgium.
– Redefining Sexual energy, 01/03/23 – 31/03/23, Pilar Brussels Belgium.
– Unseen Festival – UNBOUND, 15/09/22 – 18/09/22, Amsterdam
– PFF Athens, 13/10/22 – 16/10/22, Athens
– 30 onder 30, 09/09/22 – 15/10/22, Kunstenhuis Harelbeke Belgium
– Waking Life Festvial, 17/08/22 – 22/08/22, Crato Portugal
– Pride Bucharest, 5/07/22, Bucharest
– PFF Vienna, 20/04/22 – 24/04/22, Vienna
– Tatjana Pieters Galerie, 29/01/22 – 06/03/22, Ghent Belgium
– Kunstenfestival Damme, 26/09/21 – 12/12/21, Damme Belgium
– Graduation KASK, 01/07/21 – 04/07/21, Ghent Belgium
– The Female Gaze, May-June 2020
– Parcours # 5 / About Gender, 15/02/20, Brussel Belgium
– Fotonale Brugge, 18/12/19– 12/01/20, Brugge Belgium
– Opus One, 05/12/19 – 21/12/1, Leuven Belgium
– Artistiek Café, 02/11/19, Gent Belgium
– Out of Office, 17/08/19 – 29/09/19, Antwerp, Belgium (second prize for best photo)
– Foto TWENS, 05/09/19 – 22/09/19, Leuven Belgium
– Canon-studentprogram in Visa Pour L’image 01/09/19 – 03/09/19, Perpignan France
– Lens op de Mens, 06/07/19 – 31/08/19, Neerpelt Belgium
– The Boring Artist Convention, 27/06/19 – 30/06/19, Gent Belgium
Solo exhibitions
– Vertigo gallery, 22/09/23 – 04/10/23, Antwerp Belgium
Curated exhibitions
– Redefining Sexual energy, 01/03/23 – 31/03/23, Pilar Brussels Belgium.
Grants and funds
– Project fund from the city if Antwerp and 0090 for INNERSKIN with Sander Bos, 28/09/24 – 29/09/24, Antwerp Belgium
– Travel & exhibit fund from Flemish Government for ImageNation 29/05/24 – 30/05/24, New York
– Travel & exhibit fund from Flemish Government for ImageNation 10/11/23 – 12/11/23, Paris
– Development grand for upcoming talent Flemish Government, 17/09/23, Belgium
– Travel & exhibit fund from Flemish Government for UNSEEN 2022, 13-18 september 2022, Amsterdam
– VAF development fund (collab with Lucas Dewulf), 31/05/22, Belgium
– VAF scenario fund (collab Lucas Dewulf), 12/12/20, Belgium
– Breedbeeld project fund (collab Lucas Dewulf), 08/10/20, Antwerp Belgium
– Selected for Canon-studentprogram in Visa Pour L’image, 01/09/19 – 03/09/19, Perpignan France
Commercial works
– I AM AISHA, 29/11/23, Amsterdam
– Catwalk design & performance for Models on Stage, 19/11/23, Antwerp Belgium
– Catwalk design for Antwerp Fashion Weekend, 30/09/23, Antwerp Belgium
– Fashion shoot for Studio AMA, 12/04/23, Ghent Belgium
– Performance and VR for Manifold event, 13/11/21, Ghent Belgium
– Installation and performance for videoclip “Readiness is All” – DOLLY BING BING ft. Stef Kamil Carlens in collab with Walter Vanbeirendonck
Publications
– Prazzle Magazine
– HLN
– Different Class
– Curated by Girls
– Mister Motley
– The Tittymag
– The ArtCouch
Articles & interviews
Interview Unseen 2022
