Best of Graduates

BEST OF GRADUATES

29 juli – 2 september 2017

OPENING

Saturday, 29 July 2017
17 – 19 u., Prinsengracht 282, Amsterdam

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Galerie Ron Mandos’ celebrated summer show Best of Graduates. Presenting the newest graduating talents in contemporary art, curator Radek Vana and team Ron Mandos visit the art academies throughout the Netherlands to scout these up-and-coming artists. This exhibition brings together an eclectic and cutting-edge variety of works. The show takes place between July 29 and September 2.

Curator Radek Vana on the Best of Graduates 2017:

“Every year, Best of Graduates aims to present what is being manifested in Dutch art academies. Not a comprehensive overview, but rather a reflection of the tendencies and the - in our eyes – outstanding talents. We continue to see a decrease in video work, and an increase in craftsmanship and spatial installations. Thematically the work stays close to personal experiences, emotions and observations, which could explain the absence of the more complex political issues. Visible is the energy to step into the world, and it is this joyful cacophony that we want to convey in our exhibition.”

Gallery owner Ron Mandos on the Best of Graduates 2017:

“This 10th edition of Best of Graduates, and its continuous success, reinforces the fact that it is important to give a platform to young and emerging artists. We examine the graduation shows carefully, finding new and exciting works, and closely follow the changing trends each year. Once again, we are confident in the artists we have chosen and look forward to presenting their works in this exhibition.”

The Best of Graduates 2017 are:

AKI ArtEZ, Enschede
Joris Strouken

ArtEZ, Arnhem
Esmée van den Akker
Valentina Gal

Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam
Martin Brandt
Vytautas Kumža

HKU, Utrecht
Anouk van Zwieten
Julius Stibbe
Lieve Rutte
Caz Egelie
Sam Hersbach

KABK, Den Haag
Christian Thomsen
Maarten Broekhuizen
Indré Urbonaité

Willem de Kooning Academie, Rotterdam
Pip Passchier
Arthur Boer & Boris Smeenk
Bram van Dijk

AKV St. Joost, Breda
Julia Hoogkamer

The participating artists have a chance to win the Ron Mandos Young Blood Award, which allows the winner to exhibit his or her work in the gallery or at an (inter)national art fair. Furthermore, the Photography Award allows the winner to present their work at Unseen Photo Fair, and visitors to the exhibition can contribute by voting for their favourite contestant in order to help determine who will win the Public’s Prize. Winners will be revealed during the awards ceremony on September 2.

FINISSAGE & AWARD CEREMONY

Saturday, September 2, 2017
4 – 5 pm, Prinsengracht 282, Amsterdam

For more information and inquiries, please contact: Nick Majoor: nick@ronmandos.nl
+31 (0)6 1487 2878