I was a very well-traveled kid, as my mother traveled the world with me. I was passionately photographing and filming my friends, which I still love doing. For the book that I am currently working on, I am going through the archive, and it’s both interesting and funny to see the similarities between how I photographed and filmed at nine years old and at twenty-nine.

I’m working on my second book about my mother, together with her, while also reading extensively about other women who were artists and either had children or chose not to. The more I research, the more women I find who inspire me. To name a few: Adrienne Rich, Judy Chicago, the mother and daughter in Grey Gardens 1975, and one of my longtime (not a new discovery) biggest inspirations (next to my mother) Chantal Akerman.

There are so many! To name two: one is traveling to Lima, Peru with my mother, since her father (my grandfather) was born there. We have family we’ve never met, and I’d love to try to find them and make a documentary about that journey.

The second is a book I want to make about my father, David Kotker, who was also an artist.

My mother, Reina Villamonte—visionary, authentic, and a true style innovator.

My camera.

I have been listening to two albums on repeat: Voor Het Verdwijnt, En Daarna and In de Verte, dit uitzicht, both by Abel Ghekiere.

People often overlook how many hours go into making art—and how much work surrounds it beyond the act of creating. It’s truly a twenty-four-hour commitment, but if you love what you do, every bit of it feels worthwhile.

Keep going. Keep making work. Don’t stop.

That my work is too personal, meant as a negative critique. My work is very personal, and I believe it's my strength, not my weakness.

Huis Marseille, Museum for Photography in Amsterdam. One of my biggest dreams is to have an exhibition there, with my mother there to witness it.

Their eyes and their energy.

Walking, reading, watching a movie or (pole) dancing.

New York city, Amsterdam and Antwerp.

I recently received a wonderful compliment: "I really love your photo book Next of Kin. The way you capture people so beautifully, especially the moments shared with family and the subtle reflection of generational change, truly inspired me. I bought your book in Korea, and I think it is the best gift I gave myself this year. I really want to visit your exhibition in person, even though this might be difficult – it would mean so much to see your work in person. Thank you for creating such beautiful art. – Your fan in Korea."

In My Mother’s House, A daughter’s Story by Kim Chernin.