Ruta Butkute - Heritage

OPENING SATURDAY 24 JULY. UNTIL 28 AUGUST.

Curated by Radek Vanja and the Ron Mandos team, the gallery’s annual ‘Best of Graduates‘ exhibition is a springboard for young artistic talent and a great opportunity to see the cream of the crop of the 2010 graduating classes from art academies all over the country. Yet this show has a significance to it that distinguishes it from the other ‘Best of’ exhibitions found in the city each summer: in 2008, the gallery established the Ron Mandos Young Blood Award. It is meant to help young artists in that difficult ‘What Now?’ phase after the intensity of finishing their studies has subsided and the real work of continuing to create art and also survive as an artist begins. The award consists of a cash prize and a solo show to be held the following year, which – most importantly – establishes the connection with the gallery, its staff, its customers and its collectors.

The invited graduates this year are:

From KABK, Den Haag: Maarten Peerdeman, Rik Smits, Mirjana Vbraski, Florian van Roekel.

From HKU, Utrecht: Rogier Cloin, Yoeri Guepin, Jasper Griepink, Eline Wessels and Martien van den Hoek.

From CABK, Zwolle: Ronald Bal and Lydia Woort.

From St. Joost, Breda: Lydia Weijers, Sil Krol, Thijs van Gasteren, Anne Marie Geene and Marleine van der Werf.

From Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam: Ruta Butkute, Robin Waart, Dawood Hilmandi, Kerstin Heyen and Kaweh Modiri.

Because of the nature of this group graduate show, the exhibition will, of course, consist of an extremely varied selection of drawings, photography, paintings, light and sound installations, paper sculptures and video pieces. It is a testament to the variety and quality of the work being produced in the nation’s academies and ensures that there will most likely be something for everyone at this show. And besides, if in a few years you’re able to say ‘I remember seeing him/her when…’ then it’s certainly worth a summer afternoon’s effort.

The opening is from 5 to 7 pm. on 24 July. There will be a performance piece as well as a barbecue for all guests and graduates.

The winner of the Ron Mandos Young Blood Award 2010 will be announced on Saturday, 28 August here.