Galerie Ron Mandos at Unseen Photo Fair Amsterdam 2023 | Booth 65
Galerie Ron Mandos is delighted to take part in the 2023 Unseen Photo Fair Amsterdam. The gallery presents a vibrant selection of photographers from its roster, featuring the works of renowned and emerging artists: Hans van Manen, Erwin Olaf, Isaac Julien, Alex Avgud, Gilleam Trapenberg, Julian Rosefeldt, Geert Mul, Sander Coers, and Mick Santman.
Hans van Manen (NL, 1932)
Hans van Manen, with a distinguished background in dance and choreography — influenced by photographers like Mapplethorpe and Platt Lynes — captures in his work controlled and sensual poses that celebrate the beauty of the human form. In this collection from the 1980s, he demonstrates his meticulous staging and deep focus on muscle and movement, offering a unique artistic perspective. Like Mapplethorpe, he used a Hasselblad camera to shoot black and white photographs in the square format. Van Manen's work confronts the viewer's complex relationship with desire, resulting in a masterful exploration of allure and sensuality. Notably, his extensive collection of works by Mapplethorpe is now housed in the Rijksmuseum.
Erwin Olaf (NL, 1959)
Erwin Olaf, who often collaborated with Hans van Manen, also used a Hasselblad camera and the square format, having Mapplethorpe as a shared influence. He explores themes of sexuality and sexual identity in his Squares series. Rooted in 1980s Amsterdam and contemporaneous with Van Manen's work, Olaf challenges conventional representations of the nude within a time and place characterized by radical openness. His lens emphasizes lines, silhouettes, and skin textures while capturing intimate moments with his subjects.
Isaac Julien (GB, 1960)
Isaac Julien pays tribute to Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance in his influential Looking for Langston series. Through films and photos, he explores memory, desire, and Hughes' complex identity, blending past and present with a focus on Queer and Black culture and the Harlem Renaissance. His work, featuring Hughes' poetry alongside contemporary concerns (such as the AIDS pandemic), has earned him acclaim, teaching roles at prestigious institutions, and a presence in esteemed collections like Tate Modern (where his latest solo show took place) and MoMA, prompting reflection on identity and history in a distinct way.
Alex Avgud (RU, 1986)
Alex Avgud explores themes of migration, sexuality, and freedom through photography, performance, and choreography. His work delves into LGBTQIA+ issues in Russia and the intersection of queer and migrant experiences in the Netherlands. A recipient of the Ron Mandos Photo Talent Award 2019, Avgud has exhibited internationally at prominent venues such as Les Rencontres d'Arles and the Nobel Peace Centre. Notably, he has received the Dior Photography Award and been nominated for the Kassel Dummy Book Award.
Gilleam Trapenberg (CW, 1991)
Gilleam Trapenberg's art skillfully navigates the interplay between his Caribbean upbringing and the complex realities of the region. In Currents, he delves into his evolving relationship with his homeland, using abstract art and collages to address themes of identity, memory, and the enduring connection to one's roots in a rapidly changing world. His work has earned recognition and inclusion in prestigious Dutch museums, with his Currents series currently on display at Galerie Ron Mandos.
Julian Rosefeldt (DE, 1965)
Julian Rosefeldt reaches a career milestone with Euphoria. This film installation and photo series critically examines capitalism, colonialism, and unchecked economic growth. Filmed in diverse locations, it offers a unique perspective on history, featuring poetic scenes inspired by the thoughts of economists, writers, and thinkers. Euphoria has recently headlined the prestigious Holland Festival, immersing viewers in a thought-provoking exploration of timeless societal and economic themes.
Geert Mul (NL, 1965)
Geert Mul, a versatile multimedia artist, is renowned for his boundary-pushing work encompassing digital art, video, and installations. In Liggend naakt (Reclining Nude), he combines technology and nature to provoke contemplation about the interplay between digital imagery, time, and the natural world. With over 25 years of exploration in new media, he stands as a prominent figure in the art world, with a global presence and a teaching role at Gerrit Rietveld Academie.
Sander Coers (NL, 1997)
Sander Coers, a Rotterdam-based photographer, explores the interplay between constructed memories and perceptions of masculinity in his POST series. Using AI-generated imagery, his work challenges the authenticity of memory in the digital age, presented on plywood to provide a tangible representation of memory's fluid nature. This perspective offers fresh insights into technology and identity within contemporary photography. He was a Best of Graduates artist in 2021 and earned the show’s Photo Talent Award.
Mick Santman (NL, 1999)
Mick Santman is a photographer known for his minimalist and abstract style. Graduating with honors from the Willem de Kooning Academy in 2023 and having been featured at the Best of Graduates Show 2023, his project Blue Mind explores society's relationship with rest and has garnered acclaim, earning him the Drempelprijs and a Push Award nomination. Santman's work is deeply personal, drawing from emotions and experiences, with the aim of evoking calmness and introspection in his audience. Through his photography, he encourages viewers to reflect on the value of rest in today's fast-paced world.