'INGI STEN' a group exhibition in which spirits speak

The next exhibition of the ALAKONDRE: A Space in Time project at Readytex Art Gallery, is right around the corner. Within this one-year project at the gallery together with artist and curator-in-residence Miguel Keerveld, other artists also receive the opportunity to fill the curator’s role. This time, it is visual artist Kurt Nahar who is the designated curator-in-residence, and who is responsible for the concept and the design of the new group exhibition INGI STEN, which opens for visitors on Saturday, April 9^th.

The idea for this exhibition came to Kurt Nahar when he discovered, during talks with colleague Miguel Keerveld about among other things, alakondre, inclusivity and identity, that they both have Indigenous blood streaming through their veins. This piece of information put him to thinking and motivated him to dedicate the upcoming exhibition to this group of Surinamese citizens, who are rarely given the attention they deserve. As ‘local master’ he chose an artist who has always and emphatically done exactly this, but who sadly enough, is now with us only in spirit: Winston van der Bok († 2021). In the exhibition Nahar displays a number of carefully selected artworks by this special artist, and unique art installations which he created with objects and attributes from van der Bok’s home. He also includes works by other artists, featuring Indigenous themes as well, in the exhibition to which he gives the title: INGI STEN (Indigenous voice). It is a group exhibition in which Kurt Nahar pays tribute to the Indigenous and in which he utilizes the creativity of visual artists from diverse origins and backgrounds, to give them a platform and a voice. A voice that is too seldomly listened to, then and now. INGI STEN is also an exhibition in which spirits speak. Because the spirit of Winston van der Bok, but also the spirits of the Indigenous ancestors, speak loud and clear through the artworks displayed throughout the exhibition. The other artists whose works are featured, are: John Lie A Fo, Kenneth Flijders, Leonnie van Eert, Rinaldo Klas, Shaundell Horton, Sri Irodikromo and guest artists Orpheo Robert and Pierre Bong A Jang.

INGI STEN is on display from Saturday, April 9^thuntil Saturday, April 30^th, 2022. Due to the Covid-measures we will not host an opening reception. You may visit the exhibition anytime during the regular opening hours of Readytex Art Gallery, from Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm and on Saturday from 8:30 am – 1:30 pm. We look forward to welcoming you!