How wonderful to have had the privilege of traveling to Rijswijk, Netherlands last week to view the 2019 Textile Biennial at Museum Rijswijk. Since then, knowing I’d want to recap the experience here, I’ve been trying to think how best to describe the exhibit. Words just don’t seem to adequately convey its full impact and impressive scope, so pictures will have to do.
Museum Rijswijk Note the bike parked to the left of the entrance, complete with front-end child carrier…a ubiquitous sight.
The museum is housed in a beautiful c.1790 mansion, saved and restored by the town of Rijswijk after realizing that the 1950s’ eye to modernization, which resulted in the wholesale demolition of many historic buildings, may have taken things a step too far. A beautiful modern annex was added in 2012.
The museum’s permanent collection consists of paintings, drawings, and prints by Rijswijk artists, dating from the 17th century to the present.
The biennial was woven throughout the museum, at times integrating pieces from the exhibit alongside work from the permanent collection, as the photo above illustrates.
I am quite fond of winter imagery, so was pleased to find Alone Together and Respite nestled, so to speak, in the snow.
Espresso & Peanut Butter between bouquets
Laurence James Bailey’s work appears in the center panel
An upstairs gallery
Mirjam Kruisselbrink, foreground; Kata Unger, left; Katherine Entis, right
My fourth piece, Poseidon’s Garden
Mirjam Kruisselbrink, foreground/left; Elizabeth Fram, center; David B. Smith, right
Josefina Concha
Josefina Concha again. I was so taken with her work that I had to share another of her installations.
Kayla Mattes
Kristine Fornes
Ana Teresa Barboza
Anna Astapova
Lawrence James Bailey
Lia de Jonghe
Monika Supé
Mark Newport
Noora Schroderus
Nigel Cheney, far left; Paul Yore, middle left; Ana Astapova, middle right; Marianne Thoermer, far right; Higi Jung, foreground
Kata Unger, left; Max Colby on pedestal; Bhakti Ziek, right
A head-on shot of Bhakti’s lovely series. It was such a treat that there were two of us from Vermont in this show.
Higi Jung
Max Colby
Nigel Cheney
Paula do Prado
Paul Yore
Each artist had numerous pieces in the show. I’ve done my best to see that everyone is represented at least once in these photos. But that said, these images barely scratch the surface of the impressive whole. What an honor it was to have been included.
The lovely catalog includes an essay on each artist accompanied with photos of their work
