SCHEPPEN / MAKE + CREATE editions

detail of SCHEPPEN nr. 1, white

(NL)
SCHEPPEN - het scheppingsproces in 106 Nederlandse en 108 Engelse woorden

Voor de ontwerpen op de muren van Arti heb ik woorden verzameld die het creëren en het ontwerpen benoemen. De Nederlandse inventarisatie beslaat 106 werkwoorden, de Engelse versie net iets meer, 108. Kennelijk hebben we ze allemaal nodig om de vele nuances, invalshoeken of benaderingen in dit proces te bevatten.  

Ik heb de geselecteerde woorden op de wand gegroepeerd als tekstregels rond een denkbeeldige cirkel. De leesrichting is consequent 360 graden; je moet dus je hoofd draaien om alle woorden te kunnen lezen. Dit vertraagt het snelle lezen. Ook de kleurverschillen tussen klinkers en medeklinkers halen het tempo uit het lezen, zo kan je de woorden ‘proeven’. Als je de regels hardop leest, komt de alliteratie tot leven: SCHEPPEN, SCHRAPPEN, SCHRIJVEN, SCHATTEN. / CREATE, COMPOSE, CONCEIVE, CONTEMPLATE. Merk ook op hoe de Nederlandse en de Engelse versie verschillen in toon en karakter.

De directe aanleiding voor deze muurschildering is de titel van de tentoonstelling DE/CIPHER, naar het concept van curator Susannah Cremer-Bermbach van gkg Bonn. Deze tentoonstelling verkent het concept van ‘cipher’ door werken van kunstenaars te tonen die de verschillende aspecten van taal en tekens onderzoeken. Ik benader de titel zuiver als een werkwoord; het spoort de kijker aan om een beeld of kunstwerk te ontcijferen.

Het ontwerp is uitgevoerd op de linker muur in de tentoonstellingszaal in de DE/CIPHER tentoonstelling Arti et Amicitiae, Amsterdam (21 april - 21 mei 2023).

De Engelse versie wordt elders getoond. Van beide ontwerpen SCHEPPEN en MAKE, CREATE zijn er giclée prints, speciale edities, verkrijgbaar om de uitvoering van de tekstinstallatie te ondersteunen. Klik hier voor de edities.

Detail of MAKE/CREATE nr. 4 (blue edition)

SCHEPPEN - The Process of Creation in 106 Dutch and 108 English Words

For the designs on the walls of Arti, I collected words that refer to creating and designing. The Dutch inventory covers 106 verbs, the English version just a bit more, 108. Apparently we need them all to grasp the many nuances, angles or approaches in this process.

I have grouped the selected words on the wall as lines of text around an imaginary circle. The reading direction is consistently 360 degrees; so you have to turn your head to read all the words. This slows down rapid reading. The color differences between vowels and consonants also take the pace out of reading, allowing you to "taste" the words. When you read the lines aloud, the alliteration comes alive: SCHEPPEN, SCHRAPPEN, SCHRIJVEN, SCHATTEN (or from the English version: CREATE, COMPOSE, CONCEIVE, CONTEMPLATE). Notice also how the Dutch and English versions differ in tone and character.

The immediate reason for this mural is the title of the exhibition DE/CIPHER, based on the concept of curator Susannah Cremer-Bermbach of gkg Bonn. This exhibition explores the concept of "cipher" by showing works by artists who explore different aspects of language and signs. I approach the title purely as a verb; it urges the viewer to decipher an image or artwork.

The design was executed for the DE/CIPHER at Arti et Amicitiae, Amsterdam (April 21 - May 21, 2023) on the 3.70 x 12.90 m left wall.

The English version will be shown elsewhere. Giclée Special Editions of both SCHEPPEN and MAKE, CRETE are available to support the execution of the text installation. Click here for the editions

SCHEPPEN in white (nr.1) and yellow (nr. 2) in 3 sizes

MAKE/CREATE editions in white (nr. 3) and blue (nr. 4) in 3 sizes (S, M, L) / giclée, archival 210 grs paper

Studio Presentation: Sunday March 19, 2 pm - 5 pm > Welcome! > please sign up

In this Studio Presentation I will talk about the two upcoming project exhibitions planned in Amsterdam:

SCHEPPEN / archival print 210 grs paper / limited editions

  • The first project is the mural SCHEPPEN for in the group exhibition de/cipher, in Arti et Amicitiae (April 21 to May 21). The English version of this work is titled MAKE/CREATE. I have put together a collection of words that are involved in creating. While completeness is not my aim, I do intend to visualize complexity. After all, 'creating' (as a verb) is not linear and several actions happen simultaneously. In addition, the process of creating cannot be defined in time compartments of hours, days, weeks or longer.

    To fund the mural two limited editions are available (Dutch + English): SCHEPPEN / 50 x 70 cm (M)/ archival print 210 grs paper / limited edition of 10 / €250 pre-sign up before April 21

HIER/HERE/HOOR/HERE, (4x) 21,6 x 28,9 cm (US letter) / archival prints on 286 grs. paper / limited edition of 8

  • The second project is the four-letter word HEEL KORT HEEL EVEN/CUMA KATA KATA/ HERE HEAR of which the presentation will be at the Bouwput Gallery (May 31-June 4). The selection of the new four letter words puts more emphasis on the languages I grew up with, which are Dutch, Indonesian and English. Presenting the word images of the different languages side by side can lead to new connections and insights. In doing so, the project also shows how I hold myself in the field of language and image from my life of migration and being an artist. In the studio is a preview of the prints.

You are welcome to the studio presentation! Please mail me before March 17.

For more artworks on offer please email me a for a pdf list.

OVER/black (2021) on view @ Galerie Van den Berge, till Sunday February 26

In the small room presentation OVER (black, 2021) can be seen in a selection of works from stock. Other works by Henriëtte van 't Hoog, Paul Gees, Dave Meijer, Gracia Khouw, Jus Juchtmans, Ab van Hanegem and Shawn Stipling.

The gallery is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm until 26 February.

Link Galerie Van den Berge, 5 Albert Joachimikade, Goes
Other works on Gallery Viewer

OVER/ black / 26-04-2021 /41 x 45 x 2 cm / acrylic + lacquer on birch plywood/ edition 1 of 3

de/cipher at gkg Bonn (D) 22/1 - 16/4 + Amsterdam Edition 21/4 - 21/5, 2023

I am very delighted to be taking part in de/cipher in gkg Bonn! The exhibition is curated by curator Susannah Cremer-Bermbach. We have been in intensive contact over the past few months for my contribution, a site-specific wall work about creating and other verbs in and around the (artistic) process. *
'Cipher' in German means 'digit', 'cipher', 'zero' and 'monogram' and above all a secret writing, the translation of (everyday) language into an encrypted message, a code. The exhibition title 'De/cipher' thus refers to a semiotic interplay between encoding and decoding, and in a more general sense around translation - of lines, shapes, colors, patterns, signs and symbols.

One of the first try outs in Dutch for wall work

* Unfortunately, the execution of the mural in Bonn cannot take place due to lack of funding. I will show five works from the INBETWEEN series which is a splendid match within this context.

gkg Bonn (Gesellschaft für Kunst und Gestaltung)
January 22 - April 16, 2023
Hochstadenring 22, 53119 Bonn (DE)


Additionally, we are currently working on an "Amsterdam Edition" of de/cipher. From April 21 - May 21, 2023, de/cipher will be on view in the historic and central location of Arti et Amicitiae, with a lively peripheral program of performances, séances and lectures.

Arti et Amicitiae
Rokin 112,
1012 LB Amsterdam (NL)

WHITE SPACES at Galerie Van den Berge - on view till 18/12/2022

We had a very enjoyable Meet & Greet on Saturday, November 26th. Here are a few snapshots taken while talking about the work. Thanks for joining us!
The exhibition is still on view, the last day is Sunday afternoon, December 18.

‘WHITE SPACES’ / Ab van Hanegem / Gracia Khouw
6/11 - 18/12/2022

Galerie van den Berge
Gallery Viewer
Albert Joachimikade 5, 4461 BG Goes
Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday 13.00 - 17.00 hrs, and by appointment

Text about the ERTUSSENDOOR + INBETWEEN series (NL + EN)

Thank you Petra Laaper for the snapshots!

'WHITE SPACES' at Galerie van den Berge, November 6 - December 18

Preparations for a two-person exhibition at Galerie van den Berge in Goes are in full swing. I will show the series ERTUSSENDOOR and INBETWEEN series, together with several four-letter prints from HEEL KORT, HEEL EVEN series. Leading up to the exhibition, some of our works are on Gallery Viewer already, an online platform for contemporary art.

‘WHITE SPACES’ / Ab van Hanegem / Gracia Khouw
Opening: Sunday, November 6; on view through December 18, 2022

Galerie van den Berge
Albert Joachimikade 5, 4461 BG Goes
Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday 13.00 - 17.00 hrs, and by appointment

Text about the ERTUSSENDOOR + INBETWEEN series (NL + EN)

ADUH - ABDI - ADAT - ADIL - New series four letter words

From my fascination with four-letter words, the FIVE FOUR, MORE LESS series was born in 2017. They symbolize fast, compact, efficient and standard, matching today's times. The continuation is the project HEEL KORT HEEL EVEN / CUMA KATA-KATA and puts more emphasis on the languages I grew up with. Presenting the word images of the different languages side by side can lead to new connections and insights. In doing so, the project also shows how I hold myself in the field of language and image from my life of migration and being an artist.
Here are the new series' first word images and meanings in Dutch and English.

Update: Booklaunch October 21, 2023, Huis de Pinto, Amsterdam

Update: Presentation of the series: February 1 - 4, 2024, Bouwput Gallery Amsterdam

ADUH; NL (uitroep van pijn, verbazing, teleurstelling e.d.) ach, au, ai, jee; mengaduh – kreunen, jammeren, weeklagen / EN (exclamation of pain, surprise, disappointment, etc.) ouch, augh, ee, gosh; mengaduh - moaning, lamenting, wailing

ABDI; NL 1. dienaar, ondergeschikte; 2. slaaf; abdidalem - paleisdienaar, hofambtenaar; abdinegara – overheidsdienaar, ambtenaar; mengabdi (ke)(pada) - dienen bij, in dienst zijn van, toegewijd aan. / EN 1. servant, subordinate; 2. slave; abdidalem - palace servant, court official; abdinegara - government servant, official; mengabdi (ke)(pada), serve at, be in the service of, be devoted to.

ADAT; NL 1. traditie, overlevering, adat; 2. gewoonte (recht), regel; adat-istiadat (kebiasaan) – gewoonten (en gebruiken); beradat – volgens de traditie, traditioneel / EN 1. tradition, custom, adat; 2. custom (law), rule; adat-istiadat (kebiasaan) - customs (and practices); beradat - according to tradition, traditional

ADIL; NL  rechtvaardig, eerlijk, onpartijdig, billijk, rechtmatig; keadilan – rechtvaardigheid, billijkheid / EN just, fair, impartial, equitable; keadilan - justice, equity

Thank you, Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst!

I am very happy that the AFK has granted my project application HEEL KORT, HEEL EVEN / CUMA KATA KATA/HEAR HERE. In the coming months, I will be able to compose new Dutch, Indonesian and English four-letter word images. These short four-letter words convey abstract notions, concepts and sentiments. I have been exploring them since 2012, although I am far from reaching the full potential of them.
Thank you, AFK!

FIVE FOUR MORE LESS page


Thank you, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds!

I am so delighted that the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund, which houses the Tijlfonds has granted my application for a publication of the series of works 'FIVE FOUR, MORE LESS'! The publication will feature 60-80 new four-letter words in Dutch, Indonesian and English accompanied by an excellent text by Maaike Drescher. The project is planned to be published and presented in February 2023.

Link to https://www.graciakhouw.com/fivefourmoreless

In preparation: de/cipher! in gkg Bonn (DE) January 2023

I’m thrilled to be invited for de/cipher! a group exhibition curated by Susannah Cremer-Bermbach in gkg, Bonn (DE). In addition, preparations are now underway for the exhibition to take place in the Netherlands in 2023.

'Cipher' in German means 'digit', 'cipher', 'zero' and 'monogram' and above all a secret writing, the translation of (everyday) language into an encrypted message, a code. The exhibition title 'De/cipher' thus refers to a semiotic interplay between encoding and decoding, and in a more general sense around translation - of lines, shapes, colors, patterns, signs and symbols.

Participants: Marjorie Welish, artist/critic (NY/US), José Heerkens (NL), Johanna Reich (DE), Gracia Khouw.
Also showing artists objects, wall works, books and special editions by Carlo Battisti, Julia Bünnagel, Jochen Gerz, Eugen Gomringer, Keti Kapanadze, Wjm Kok, Joseph Kosuth, Josef Linschinger, Vera Molnar, Franz Mon, Gerhard Rühm, Takako Saito, Timm Ulrichs, Ulrich Wagner and others.

Installation view in gkg Bonn during “Lebt Theo?” 2011, a group exhibition curated by S. Cremer-Bermbach and Christoph Dahlhausen / photo: works by G. Khouw. Krijn de Koning, WJM Kok, Bob Bonies, Piet Tuytel
Link to YEAH page

gkg Bonn (Gesellschaft für Kunst und Gestaltung)
January 22 - April 16, 2023
Hochstadenring 22
53119 Bonn (DE)

New Work: INBETWEEN series

An introduction to this new series inspired by the so-called "adverbs of place," words that answer the question of where something takes place. Below are a few pictures of the first paintings made in the fall of 2021. More works will follow this spring.

TWEEN (green) 1509 / 35 x 32 cm size (nr. 1)
TWEEN (blue) - 1709 / 35 x 32 cm size (nr. 1)
TWEEN (black) - 2911/ 76,5 x 70 x 2 cm (size nr. 4)
Overview photo: TWEEN (blue) 1909 / 43 x 43 x 2 cm (nr. 2) (sold) and TWEEN (blue) / 54 x 50 x 2 cm (nr. 3)
- the material of the paintings is 6 mm birch plywood. A custom mdf hanging structure is attached to the back so that you can view the work in 4 different positions.

The series are works in edition
- Size nr. 1, nr. 2 are editions of 3
- Size nr. 3, nr. 4 are editions of 2
- Size nr. 5 is unique and is the maximum size at the moment.

New Series / working title: Adverbs of Place

The making of new series with adverbs of place INBETWEEN, Laser cut birch plywoord 6 mm, sizes nr. 3 - 52 x 58 and nr. 4 - 60 x 77 cm

GREETINGS / LIMITED EDITION CARDS

in , ,
GREETINGS / LIMITED EDITION CARDS

NL: voor Nederlands, scroll omlaag, of klik op ‘read more’

At the end of the year, we face the beginning of a new year. Time to think about New Year's cards. I have a collection of 6 designs. They can be ordered in sets of 6, you can specify how many of the type of design (or color) you wish to receive.
Order by 30th of November to receive the cards on time.
NL
Aan het eind van het jaar, staan we voor het begin van een nieuw jaar. Tijd om na te denken over nieuwjaarskaarten. Ik heb een collectie van 6 ontwerpen. Ze kunnen per sets van 6 besteld worden, je kunt de set zelf samenstellen met de ontwerpen of kleuren die je wilt hebben.
Bestel s.v.p. vóór 30 november om de kaarten op tijd in huis te hebben.

Read More