Artist statement
We are our naked bodies, and bodies need touch. In scientific words, we need oxytocin to survive. How can the fusion of touch-based practices and art be used to create awareness? I explore contemporary themes such as mental health, body diversity, inclusivity and the need for physical human contact.
Touch-based practices such as Taoism, Tantra and Somatic Bodywork use exercises with touch and embodiment. Touch teaches us about body language, connection and our primal instincts. Can we prevent trauma instead of needing to heal it by learning to listen to our own bodies and those of others?
The concept of desexualizing touch is essential in this context. This means separating physical contact from sexual connotations so that respectful touching is used. This leads to emotional connections, reduces sexual misconduct, supports family bonds and friendships, and benefits mental well-being of individuals. It contributes to the cultural shift where touch is seen as a natural expression of empathy, free from shame and taboos. It leads to loving society in which people respect each other’s boundaries and physical contact is valued for the connection.
I integrate touch-based rituals in my art in two distinct dimensions. First, within the creative process itself. The photoshoot becomes a healing practice that gives them a sensory self-love experience instead of working in a result-based way.The process of body painting transcends mere aesthetics; it evolves into a touch-based ritual. I blindfold the models in order for them to focus on the sensations that go through their bodies. Before and after the painting I guide the portrayed through touch-based exercises to connect with each other and to create a safe space to evoke self love and connection.
Second I use touch-based rituals in a participatory performance during openings and exhibitions. In my lilac tactile immersive installations I use video, VR, textile, sculpture and photography as centre medium. During the performance I take on the role of a touch-based guide/sjaman and guide the visitors through a blindfolded ritual of 15 minutes with low-key accessible touch-based exercises.
Let’s use touch to transform!
Bio
Neoza Goffin (October 13, 1997, Ghent, Belgium) is an interdisciplinary artist who explores the synergy between touch-based practices and art to create awareness about body diversity, inclusivity, and the primal human need for physical contact. She holds a master’s degree in photography from KASK in Ghent. During her studies her colorful work on spirituality and female representation quickly gained recognition, resulting in participation in various group exhibitions at institutions such as Stichting IJsberg (Damme), Tatjana Pieters Gallery (Ghent), Unseen Festival (Amsterdam), and more.
Her recent works, which combine immersive lilac installations with touch-based participatory performances, have been internationally exhibited at prestigious events such as the Photo Biennial Ostend, ImageNation Paris & New York, Pilar Brussels, and the Women Biennial Brussels.
Neoza Goffin’s aesthetic is conceptually and visually distinctive, capturing the interest not only of the art world but also of other creative professionals such as singers and fashion designers. She has collaborated with La Fille d’O, Studio AMA, DOLLY BING BING, Stef Kamil Carlens, and Sander Bos, among others.
In March 2023, Neoza Goffin was invited as a curator and participant for the exhibition “Redefining Sexual Energy” at Pilar Brussels. She is currently preparing an installation that will stay for one year in the immersive museum Sweet Tooth Hotel in Texas. These recent invitations testify to the professional recognition of her artistic exploration of nudity, intimacy, sexuality, and touch.
Education
Tribal Tantra, Maldegem, 2020-2021
Master in photography at KASK Ghent, Belgium, 2015 – 2021
Exhibitions
– Sweet Tooth Hotel, September 2024 – September 2025, Texas
– ImageNation New York, 29/03/24 – 31/03/24, New York
– 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
– 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
– Shoot with 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
