Izla Malki, Fine Art and Design in Education student, shines in TV competition
- Fine Art
- Design
- Education in Art
As an artist, it’s important to put yourself out there. For Izla Malki, a student at the Fine Art and Design in Education programme in Zwolle, that doesn't come naturally. But she doesn’t shy away from challenges - on the contrary! On February 16, 2025, she will appear in the TV show De Gezonken Meesters (The Sunken Masters). This means not only recreating a lost painting by Philips Wouwerman, but also giving interviews and vlogging for the first time.
In De Gezonken Meesters, artists compete to create the best interpretation of a lost painting. Izla is one of the finalists, a remarkable achievement! The challenge? Recreating a painting based on written descriptions, following a few key guidelines. "You’re given certain elements that must be included and the required dimensions, but beyond that, you’re free to choose your own style and materials," Izla explains. "At school, I can experiment freely, but here, there are more restrictions. That actually makes it really interesting."
Final year at art school
While taking on this TV adventure, Izla is also in her final year of her studies. "This programme has completely changed how I see art. I think differently about what art is and what it can mean to society. But this show takes me back to the basics: the craftsmanship where I first started."
I love sharing my passion and making art accessible. That can be through workshops, community art, or simply by talking to people."
A platform for her story
She can’t reveal exactly what her painting looks like yet, but she does share a hint about her inspiration: "I am Aramaic, a culture from the Middle East. Due to wars and genocide, the Aramaic people have lost their land, and our ancestors have suffered greatly. This history is often overlooked. Art history is typically one-sided, and women, for example, are also underrepresented. Thankfully, that is slowly changing. This TV show gives me the chance to share my story and a part of my culture."
Art is meant to be shared
For Izla, creating and sharing art are equally important. "I love sharing my passion and making art accessible. That can be through workshops, community art, or simply by talking to people. At the Fine Art and Design in Education programme, I’m not just learning how to create art myself - I’m learning how to make it meaningful for others." The programme has given her so much: "I’ve made huge progress thanks to the guidance of my teachers. The teachers aren’t traditional instructors; they’re more like sparring partners. We have deep conversations about my work, and that really helps me grow."
Growing through challenges
De Gezonken Meesters has taught Izla an important lesson: "I keep pushing myself. Every time I try something new, it becomes less scary. In this show, I had to do interviews and vlog - things I had never done before. But I grew from it. I’ve realized that challenges are good for me. This show has given me a huge confidence boost to keep putting myself out there, even when it feels scary. In the future, I’d love to take part in even more TV shows!"
Learn more about the bachelor Fine Art and Design in Education
