05 march 2024, Manuela Klerkx
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: ten Dutch female artists in the spotlight
Life can take unexpected turns. The one moment you're showcasing your artwork together with your gallery at the London Art Fair as a Dutch artist, the next you're curating an exhibition featuring Dutch artists in London. This is precisely what happened to Louise te Poele, who talked to us over the phone about the journey behind the creation of the exhibition Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: A Celebration of Dutch Female Artists, set to open on 8 March at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery.
Janine van Oene, Untitled, 2023, Galerie Gerhard Hofland
"When we think about the Dutch Masters, it's usually the names of male artists – the so-called 'giants' – that come to mind," Te Poele comments, adding, "I wanted to address the enduring gender disparity in the art world by shedding light on the underrepresentation of female artists, both in the Netherlands and globally, through the work of ten contemporary Dutch female artists."
Iriée Zamblé, Z'yeux connait bagage qui est lourd, 2022, detail
The exhibition's opening coincides deliberately with International Women's Day, aiming to reshape the narrative surrounding present and future generations of female artists. The selected artists include Janine van Oene, Iriée Zamblé, Krystel Geerts, Simone Albers, Wieteke Heldens, Maria Roosen, Anne von Freyburg, Lisa Šebestíková, Anya Janssen and Louise te Poele – artists from different generations, each standing on the shoulders of other, also female, 'giants'.
Simone Albers, Mikros Magistralis 13, 2024, O-68
"My personal 'giants' are my former mentors, Anya Janssen and Maria Roosen. I wanted to unite them with 'giants' from my own generation and the one after mine," adds Te Poele. Consequently, the exhibition provides a platform not only for seasoned artists, but also for emerging talents, fostering collaboration and solidarity among women in the arts.
Wieteke Heldens, 4.6 kg, 103x133cm, 2023, BorzoGallery
Recent statistics show that fewer than 5% of artists showcased in museums are women, serving as a stark reminder of the historical predominance of men in the art realm. Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: A Celebration of Dutch Female Artists is a symbolic gesture to spotlight Dutch female artists, drawing inspiration from the illustrious history of artistic luminaries such as Rachel Ruysch and Saar de Swart, while reshaping the narrative for contemporary and future generations of female artists.
Maria Roosen, Untitled (gouden zwammen), 2024, Galerie Fons Welters
The globally renowned Saatchi Gallery turned out to be the perfect venue for this exhibition. Since its inception in 1985, the gallery has played a pivotal role in propelling numerous artists to international acclaim. Saatchi's commitment to supporting largely unseen and underrepresented artists seamlessly aligns with the exhibition's mission: to amplify the visibility of living female artists across different generations and to highlight their ideologies.
Maria Roosen, Untitled (gouden zwammen), 2024, Galerie Fons Welters
"Your mind is as flexible as you allow it to be. This exhibition serves as a feast for our minds, offering multiple dialogues and perspectives on our worldview. Embrace this openness and allow your mind to be nourished by the diverse insights presented."
Louise te Poele
In Gallery 1, a sculpture project constitutes an extension of Saar de Swart's chess set (part of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam collection), symbolically addressing the void in the history of female artists. Five contemporary interpretations of significant chess pieces crafted by Dutch female artists serve as a powerful symbol of their historical underrepresentation.
Anya Janssen, Warmblüter II, 2022, TORCH Gallery
Gallery 2 delves into the autonomous works of ten contemporary female artists, featuring a selection of artworks created at different junctures in their careers. Together, these artworks facilitate a dialogue between the self, the other and the world, reflecting the entirely reasonable desire of female artists to be seen and heard.
Louise te Poele, Visceral Flowers, 2022, O-68
This exhibition has been made possible not only by the Dutch Embassy in the United Kingdom, Saatchi Gallery and the SMAG Foundation (headed by Artistic Director Louise te Poele and Executive Director Lotte Rosier), but also the Mondriaan Fund, Stichting Voor Vrouwen Door Vrouwen (Foundation for Women by Women) and other funding partners.
Dates and opening hours: 8 March – 12 May, 10 am - 6 pm (last admission at 5:30 pm)
Address: Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York's HQ, King's Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4RY
