Parallel Lives, Parallel Aesthetics displays the works of two artists from beyond Europe - who have more than earned their spurs elsewhere - their first stand-alone solo exhibition in the Netherlands. León Ferrari: A Kind Cruelty is a comprehensive retrospective spanning the life of León Ferrari (1920 – 2013, Buenos Aires). It is paired with Gülsün Karamustafa: After the Cosmopolis, a full overview of the work of Gülsün Karamustafa (1946, Ankara). Hailing from different corners of the world, their cultural and geo-political histories show surprising parallels. Explore how these unique artists are responding to the changes and conflicts taking place in their homelands, and how this to a Western European audience is at once intriguing and familiar.
Parallels
The work and lives of León Ferrari and Gülsün Karamustafa converge and intersect on multiple levels. Both respond to authoritarian governments that do not support freedom of speech: a situation characteristic of the issues facing many countries today, including in Europe.
Differences
As well as parallels, there are also differences between the artists. Karamustafa reflects on male-female relations in a changing Turkey, and the loss of Istanbul’s multicultural climate; Ferrari responds to the influence of Western, Christian civilization on South America and on dictatorship in Argentina. The exhibition includes never before shown pieces by the artist. Karamustafa will be producing a new artwork especially for this solo exhibition.