The collection of Carla & Pieter Schulting represents an era of ever-growing interest in contemporary art from the continent.
African painting has boomed in recent years. It reflects the self-awareness with which the continent's artists look at themselves and their position in the world. During this period, Dutch collectors Carla and Pieter Schulting acquired a large collection of paintings - supplemented by some sculptures and photographs - from many African countries. Many of the artists in the collection have themselves or their immediate surroundings as subjects with portraits, figure pieces and genre scenes.
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On display at Kunsthal KAdE in Amersfoort, are works by 125 different artists from 33 African countries: South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and many others. Although never complete, the collection gives a layered picture of how African artists reflect on their self-image and how their imagination radiates to the whole world.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced," said African-American novelist James Baldwin. Looking at the rich visual vocabulary of the African artists in the Schulting collection, one senses long histories, many experiences - including traumatic ones - and great stories ready to be told. Told from a personal perspective, often with the artists themselves or their friends at the centre, but with universal overtones. A history of many histories, portrayed from specific points of view and individual cultural experiences.
More information on all participating artists and tickets here.