10 january 2025, Flor Linckens
Painters Alive: painting in motion
Until 29 March 2025, Rademakers Gallery presents the group exhibition 'Painters Alive'. This kaleidoscopic showcase highlights how seven artists represented by the gallery — Christina de Korte, Jhonie van Boeijen, Julia von Kienlin, Beppe Kessler, Leonie Schneider, Daleen Bloemers and Sander Martijn Jonker — are redefining the medium of painting.
The exhibition not only celebrates the versatility of painting but also emphasises the personal narratives, tensions and experiments embedded in each artwork. As one of the oldest art forms, painting has evolved over millennia, continuously adapting and remaining relevant — even in an era of rapid technological and digital innovation. 'Painters Alive' underscores that painting is anything but static: the featured artists honour tradition while simultaneously pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities. Some works are strikingly figurative, while others, such as those by Sander Martijn Jonker, embrace pure abstraction.
The exhibition highlights the materiality and physicality of painting, offering a poignant contrast to the fleeting nature of digital media that dominates our daily lives. In an increasingly digital world, there is a growing societal yearning for tangible, analogue experiences. Painting provides space for personal stories, unique perspectives and innovative techniques. Visitors are invited to experience the textures, colours and nuances of each painting up close, fostering a deeper and more personal connection with the works. Due to the diversity of the exhibition, this article focuses on three artists whose works exemplify the innovative spirit of 'Painters Alive'.
The paintings of Julia von Kienlin immediately capture attention with their bold colours and striking figurative elements. Her work centres on human relationships, often depicted in theatrical compositions enriched with subtle historical art references. The sometimes enigmatic connections and interactions between her figures create a lingering tension. Drawing inspiration from social media snapshots of introspective youths, the German artist transforms them into vivid portraits. She reflects not only on vulnerability and identity but also on how these concepts are shaped and curated in the digital age: how do these individuals want to be seen? Through her work, von Kienlin seeks to capture the essence and personality of her subjects, while simultaneously reflecting the zeitgeist. She also depicts domestic interiors reminiscent of contemporary vanitas. Her work gained international recognition in 2022 when renowned New York Magazine art critic Jerry Saltz spotlighted it on Instagram.
Verhalen spelen een centrale rol in het werk van Leonie Schneider. Duitse kunstenaar gaat daarin dieper in op emotionele thema’s als trauma, machtsverhoudingen, geweld, ongemak en angst. Ondanks deze vaak serieuze onderwerpen worden haar werken niet zelden gekenmerkt door een speelse en humoristische beeldtaal. In 2020 werd Schneider genomineerd voor de Koninklijke Prijs voor Vrije Schilderkunst. Haar werk in deze tentoonstelling lijkt op het eerste gezicht een alledaags tafereel: een tafel vol voedsel en keukengerei in een rommelige omgeving. Maar wanneer je iets langer kijkt dan wordt een mogelijke spanning in het werk duidelijk. De hoekige compositie en het gekozen perspectief creëren een gevoel van beklemming. De grove stenen muren suggereren een gevangenisachtige ruimte, terwijl de centrale tafel met voedsel eerder ongemak oproept dan gezelligheid. Het geroosterde vlees in de ovenschaal voelt ongemakkelijk en roept vragen op over geweld of consumptie. De verspreide objecten in de kamer, zoals gebruikte servetten, plastic zakken en het rommelige bed, versterken een sfeer van verwaarlozing. De warme, speelse kleuren lijken op het eerste gezicht uitnodigend, maar deze levendigheid contrasteert scherp met de beklemmende associaties die de scène oproept. Leonie Schneider places storytelling at the heart of her practice, delving into emotional themes such as trauma, power dynamics, violence, discomfort and fear. Despite these weighty topics, her works often exude a playful and humorous visual language. In 2020, Schneider was nominated for the Royal Award for Modern Painting. Her contribution to this exhibition initially appears to depict a mundane scene: a table laden with food, utensils, surrounded by a cluttered interior. However, upon closer inspection, the work seems to reveals some underlying tension. The angular composition and chosen perspective evoke a sense of confinement. The coarse stone walls suggest an almost prison-like space, while the central table, with its uninviting food, conveys unease rather than warmth. The roasted meat appears a bit strange, and scattered objects such as used napkins, plastic bags and the dishevelled bed amplify a sense of neglect. Though the colours initially appear warm and playful, their vibrancy starkly contrasts with the unsettling associations evoked by the scene.
Jhonie van Boeijen explores the interplay between packaging and consumer behaviour in her work. Her paintings invite viewers to reflect on the influence of branding and the psychological allure of consumption. Approaching her subject matter with a sociological lens, van Boeijen asks: what does the content of our shopping bags reveal about who we are and what we aspire to project? Her compositions feature an intricate jumble of packaging, seemingly chaotic yet somehow also meticulously arranged. The vibrant colours allude to the visual strategies brands employ to captivate consumers, symbolising the sensory overload often associated with modern consumer culture. Her precise and recognisable depictions reveal how brands manipulate identity and desire, drawing on nostalgia or promoting a healthy lifestyle. These works provoke questions about how packaging shapes perception and how marketing steers consumption habits. The densely packed arrangements also reflect the overwhelming array of choices consumers face daily, critiquing how this abundance impacts our sense of value and longing. Van Boeijen’s fascination with food is evident in her selection of products, which juxtapose health-conscious items like coconut water and kombucha with indulgent salty and sweet snacks. This tension underscores the contradictions faced by consumers in a society that glorifies health and pleasure simultaneously.
The exhibition also features works by Christina de Korte, Beppe Kessler, Daleen Bloemers and Sander Martijn Jonker.
