BEYOND MODERNITY: From Erwin de Vries to Contemporary Alakondre

a ‘love letter’ to ‘An Other’

Readytex Art Gallery warmly invites you to visit the first group exhibition of 2026: BEYOND MODERNITY: From Erwin de Vries to Contemporary Alakondre. This exhibition is organized on the occasion of the recent published biography Erwin de Vries – Eroticism & Lust for Life, written by cultural historian and independent researcher Hanneke Oosterhof.

Curators Miguel Keerveld and Dhiradj Ramsamoedj worked from the theme Ode to Erwin de Vries, establishing a connection with the concept through which Readytex Art Gallery participated in the Atlantic World Art Fair (AWAF) in 2022. From the theme magic in visual conversation, artists and audiences were invited at that time to engage with the concept of ‘An Other’, within an inclusive space as an expression of deeper attention through the imagination. Interpretations were not limited solely to the physical and rational domains.
Artists who participated in AWAF 2022 have now been invited to create a ‘love letter’ to ‘An Other’, their alter ego, and/or Erwin de Vries. In striving beyond modernity, the curators seek a dialogue with the beyond-human. The artists were completely free to give form to this in their own way. Miguel Keerveld explains: “This is about making contact through the symbolic interaction that art can offer us. This choice is connected to the way I view Erwin’s oeuvre: as a visual embodiment of an ethics of love. In essence, this is also how I understand Alakondre within my curatorial view.”

From this imagination, he invited guest artist Els Tjong Joe Wai to enter into dialogue with visual artist Rinaldo Klas. In their work, he recognizes an affinity with modern art, a focus on connection with beyond-human entities and a working method that resonates with that of Erwin de Vries.

Dhiradj Ramsamoedj and Miguel Keerveld jointly took on the challenge of co-curating this exhibition, because of their almost opposing worldviews and their very different relationships with Erwin de Vries. This gives the exhibition a layered and open character, allowing visitors to take away what is meaningful to them from their own perspective.

From Friday, January 9, through Saturday, February 28, 2026, you are warmly invited to experience for yourself what art can offer the viewer through symbolic interaction. The biography will be presented on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Readytex Art Gallery.

Readytex Art Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.

We look forward to welcoming you and your guests!

Team Readytex Art Gallery