29 september 2023, Flor Linckens
Timeless portraits: Iris van Dongen's 'Topiary Stories'
Until 14 October, Galerie Stigter Van Doesburg in Amsterdam presents a solo exhibition by Iris van Dongen. 'Topiary Stories' shows the evolution of her artworks and at the same time, it implicitly addresses the ways in which we shape and control nature.
Iris van Dongen is known for her large-scale and realistic drawings, that she makes with materials such as (graphite) pencil, charcoal, watercolour and pastel chalk. In addition to her drawings on paper, the Dutch artist also creates video works, performances, installations and sculptures, often from a feminist perspective. Some of the works in this particular exhibition have a remarkable shape, for example one of the works resembles an abstract puzzle piece while the shape of another work is more reminiscent of an asymmetrical painted panel or window.
Van Dongen's practice is inspired by art history, with influences from artists such as the pre-Raphaelites, Odilon Redon, Gustav Klimt and the Art Nouveau movement, but she is equally intrigued by certain myths and legends. After living in Berlin for several years, the artist settled in Denmark a while back, where nature began to play a more prominent role in her daily life and, as a result, in her artwork.
But women in particular play a leading role in Van Dongen's drawings. Her works are generally sizable and imbued with a certain melancholy and mystery. Her works of art exude the atmosphere of romantic and symbolist painting from the 19th century, while they incorporate contemporary elements at the same time — from adhesive tape and contemporary clothing to graphic jewelry. As a result, the portraits also have a certain timeless element. Although occasionally, her characters look directly at the viewer, they tend to stare into the distance, not so much as a painterly muse but rather tensely, with shadows under their eyes and worries in their eyes. Other figures seem to be watching you with bated breath, as if they can't wait to take a deep breath the second you turn around.
The term 'Topiary' in the title of the exhibition literally refers to the (decorative) shaping of nature, in gardening for instance. This imbues her portraits with additional depth. Indirectly, her newer works seem to address the relationship between nature and art, while her drawings are simultaneously bridging the past and the present.
Van Dongen studied painting at what is now the AKV St. Joost in Den Bosch. Her work has previously been shown at Kunstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin, Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, Singer Laren, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, the Van Gogh Museum, GEM in The Hague, TENT in Rotterdam, Schirn Kunsthalle in Frankfurt and the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
