Installation view, Best of Graduates 2018
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Galerie Ron Mandos proudly presents Best of Graduates 2018, the 11th edition of the annual exhibition at Galerie Ron Mandos. Best of Graduates presents the newest generation of contemporary artists from the Netherlands. Curator Radek Vana and the Galerie Ron Mandos team visited all Dutch art academies (BA level) to make a selection of the most outstanding, remarkable and intriguing artworks. The exhibition entails a surprising variety of media and topics. Also, it serves as a platform for the most talented artists among the recent graduates. Best of Graduates 2018 will be on view from Friday 3 August to Saturday 1 September.
Curator Radek Vana on Best of Graduates 2018:
“Every year Best of Graduates gives an insight into what is happening at the Dutch art academies. No comprehensive overview, rather a reflection of the trends and – in our eyes – striking talents. We have seen fewer videos and less painting – except for a few academies like the HKU. The amount of performative work and spatial installations was striking. Thematically, the work generally remains close to formal problems and personal stories, possibly explaining the absence of complex political issues. The enthusiasm to enter the world is visible and it is this cheerful cacophony that we want to show in our exhibition. “
Gallery owner Ron Mandos about Best of Graduates 2018:
“Best of Graduates has been initiated because of a desire to offer young and emerging talent a stage, as well as to show them the direction towards the professional art world. Also this year we have carefully reviewed all graduation exhibitions. In this way we closely follow the latest developments at the Dutch art academies. We discovered surprising, new work and are delighted to present a variety of media, ranging from photography to a ceramics installation. We have complete confidence in the selected artists and look forward to showing their work in the gallery. “
Selected Artists 2018:
AKI ArtEZ, Enschede
Eline van Hove
Jacco Jansen
Lena Paßlick
Lex Chen
ArtEZ, Arnhem
Delano Berendsen
AKV St. Joost, Breda
Joris Verleg
Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam
Emilie Bobek
David Noro
Elias Njima
Kleoniki Stanich
HKU, Utrecht
Ersin Eken
Jur de Vries
Mirjam Vreeswijk
Thiemi Higashi
Neta Ben Dov
KABK, Den Haag
Marina Heuvelman
Marwan Bassiouni
Quentley Barbara
Jonathan Hielkema
The participating artists are eligible to win the Ron Mandos Young Blood Award; a prize that offers the opportunity to show more work in the gallery or to take part in an (inter) national art fair. In addition, the Photo Talent Award will be awarded. Visitors to Best of Graduates can also select their favorite artist by voting for the Public’s Prize. The winners of all prizes will be announced during the finissage on Saturday 1 September.
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FINISSAGE & AWARD CEREMONY
Saturday 1 September 2018
4 – 5 PM, Prinsengracht 282, Amsterdam
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Read the 2018 Jury Report here
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