The transformative power of creativity
Karel Jacobs of Canter Holland gives us his perspective
by writer Sarah Igo
In an era where well-being and mental health are at the forefront of societal discussions, the theme for Printfest 2025 – Art for Health – feels more relevant than ever. Art has long been heralded as a source of comfort, inspiration and connection, but how does it truly impact our daily lives? I spoke with Printfest sponsor and passionate advocate for accessible art Karel Jacobs about his insights into the transformative role of art in both professional and public spaces.
Art as an emotional catalyst
Following our conversation last spring, my lasting memory of Karel is his love of art based on a simple connection with the individual piece, be it humour, passion or simply a feeling. So what, pray tell, has caught his eye in the time that has elapsed since our last encounter?
Karel’s answer does not disappoint. The latest artwork to lift his spirits is the aptly titled Read the Room, a print acquired at last year’s Summer Exhibition and now proudly displayed in Canter Holland’s main office. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the piece serves as a gentle reminder of human interactions – a daily nod to the often-overlooked skill of reading social cues. “It makes me smile,” Karel notes, reinforcing the idea that art, even in small doses, can shift our mood and understanding, adding: “It’s staggering how many people don’t Read the Room!”
Read the Room
~ Letterpress by Russel Frost, 32x45cm, 300gsm recycled stock with vintage ink, edition 100. RA Summer Exhibition 2024. Russel engages with the wear and tear on the letterpress type blocks, in sympathy with Karel’s view “ Who does Read the Room?” Canter Holland purchased this work at the RA Summer Exhibition. www.hooksmith.com/shop/read-the-room
More than décor…
While corporate environments are often associated with rigid structures and sterile designs, Karel champions the integration of art for a more engaging and welcoming atmosphere. “In this age of Zoom and Teams meetings, having an interesting background is essential,” he explains, alluding to that special gift art has for sparking conversation, inviting curiosity, and even offering a glimpse into people’s personalities and values. “I’m always looking for what is in the background when I’m talking on Zoom.”
When I ask whether he feels art in the workplace can boost creativity, Karel points out that Canter Holland’s line of work is highly factual and data-driven. “Slightly less relevant to our industry,” Karel smiles, whilst also acknowledging that the presence of art in professional settings fosters warmth and engagement and even camaraderie.
He also shares a rather cheerful anecdote from the office. A maintenance worker, upon seeing a Mychael Barratt piece (Banksy’s Dog), was so inspired that he began collecting art himself. It’s a testament to the subtle yet profound and even unexpected effect art can have.
The art of accessibility
A key concern for Karel is the accessibility of art in the world at large. Too often, he notes, art can be viewed as an elitist commodity rather than a shared experience. “Art is often hijacked by those who see it as currency,” he laments. So how to make art accessible to all? Karel believes artists, gallery owners and collectors need to ‘resist’ the desire to monetise art, emphasising its narrative rather than its market value, to enable more people to engage with and benefit from its presence.
Printfest in essence serves this purpose – celebrating printmaking, introducing the art to those who might not otherwise have encountered it and bringing to them affordable artworks, without sacrificing artistic integrity.
London to Edinburgh
~ Multi-plate linocut by Alison Diamond, 54x54cm ~ Alison is a seasoned exhibitor at Printfest. “My printmaking reflects my experiences, influenced by my northeast background”. Karel says “We acquired this at Printfest 2024, the relevance to us is that this is the train we take almost daily to travel between our Peterborough and London office, we know it well!”
Alison Diamond is exhibiting at Printfest 2025, you will find her stand number in the Printfest catalogue. Go and have a chat with her, find out which of her prints resonate with you!
Art unbarred: a necessity, not a luxury
The erosion of art education in schools is clearly a pressing concern, one that Karel recognises. As curriculums increasingly prioritise core subjects, the development of creativity and dexterity is being sidelined. Karel argues that the world – and especially the UK – needs a balance between technical skills and creative expression.
The same holds true for prisons, where exposure to art remains minimal, but Sally Bamber knows something about that:
One organisation leading the way in this field is the Koestler Trust, which champions artistic expression within the UK’s prison system. Each year, Koestler Arts curates exhibitions showcasing creative works from those within a range of settings from high secure hospitals to young offenders’ institutions, secure children’s homes and immigration centres.
Their annual UK exhibition at the Southbank Centre provides a powerful platform for these voices, with past curators including Ai Weiwei, Antony Gormley, and Grayson Perry. Through regional exhibitions and events, Koestler Arts helps families, local communities, and the public engage with the talents of those in custody, fostering connection and rehabilitation through art. Initiatives like this highlight the potential of creative expression as a transformative tool in the criminal justice system, offering hope and a means of self-discovery to individuals who may have never had access to art before. A powerful rehabilitative tool, art offers both an emotional outlet and a new perspective on self-expression.
Last year’s Koestler Arts exhibition – ‘No Comment’, co-curated by Jeremy Deller and former prisoner-turned-artist John Costi, explored the realities of life in prison. Featuring over 200 artworks, the exhibition explored the narratives behind each piece, guiding visitors through a powerful journey—one that mirrored Costi’s own experience with art while in prison. Beginning with works reflecting the isolation and voicelessness of incarceration, the exhibition then moved into a space celebrating the discovery of creative expression, before culminating in a section that embodied the boundlessness of imagination. A thoughtfully considered curatorial approach, Deller and Costi’s 2024 exhibition serves to reinforce the importance of art not just as a rehabilitative tool, but as a way of restoring identity and voice to those often silenced by the criminal justice system.
This seems to hold sway for Karel too, who senses the need and urgency for businesses and institutions to speak in similar ways through art, to take control of their spaces by displaying art in public areas, ensuring that each piece tells a story. “Often, people need to read the explanation before they have that lightbulb moment – ‘Ahhh, that’s what the artist meant!’”
But there’s a sense of urgency here for Karel, about communication. He advocates for businesses and institutions to take control of their spaces by displaying art in public areas and ensuring that each piece tells a story. “Often, people need to read the explanation before they have that lightbulb moment – ‘Ahhh, that’s what the artist meant!’”
From Magic Posters
Prescriptive art from an online company enabling personal customisation. The original design was crafted by Tauchnitz and Hans Mardersteig and used by Penguin Books. This design is by Harland Miller, and Magic Posters offers you an opportunity to add your version. Karel stole this quote from Frank Zappa. Read more of Karel’s here www.printfest.uk/mainsponsor
Embracing the responsibility for art
For organisations looking to integrate art into their spaces, Karel’s advice is simple: “Display it, talk about it and take control yourself. Don’t wait for a central body to tell you to do it.” Art’s power lies not just in its presence but in the conversations and connections it fosters. Printfest, with its artist-centric approach, exemplifies this philosophy. By making artists accessible and encouraging discussions about their work, the festival ensures that art remains approachable and impactful.
To those sceptical of the link between art and health, Karel’s response is unequivocal: “Prove them wrong by creating and talking about art.” Whether in a hospital corridor, a workplace, a school or a community hall, art has the power to uplift, connect, and heal. It is, in every sense, essential to well-being.
