Online Viewing KunstRAI 2024

From the 27th of March until the 1st of April Root Gallery was part of another edition at the KunstRai! This year, we presented the works of Donald Shenkel, Saïd Kinos, Lisette Schumacher, Karen van de Vliet, Jochem Esser, Jan Theun van Rees, Freerk Wilbers complemented with a wonderous solo exhibition by Quinda Verheul.

Group Presentation

The group presentation brought together a large selection of newly created works from above mentioned artists working in different disciplines. Lisette Schumacher showcased various works that continued her research into the Stahl House resulting from a second residency she did in Los Angeles. Karen van de Vliet too presented works that were part of an ongoing research into materiality and form. Her great love for nature, its trascience and the beauty of everyday life, were visible through her abstract, colourful and expressive paintings. Donald Schenkel showcased a number of new artworks, among which his cylindrical shaped wallsculptures, and the results of an ongoing experimentation with painting techniques creating a sense of movement and new layers of reflection, definition and depth.

Jochem Esser presented two wonderful, complex handcrafted sculptures exploring the connection between physical stimuli, objects and electronic media. Jan Theun van Rees presented a number of photographs among which those from his Perforated Space series for which he constructed his own spaces.

Saïd Kinos presented a new work titled the Never Ending Now, allowing the spectator to interact with the work in various ways. The soft colour palette used by Saïd complemented the calm and soothing effect caused by the kinetic installations from Freerk Wilbers. These works - Dappled Sphere - resemble the effect of sunlight shining through leaves in a forest clearing. This dappled light to which the work owes its name is made of numerous carefully hand-polished brass discs. Alternated with the white surface on the other side of the disk, the work forms a bundle of warm colours and soothing light.

Solo Presentation - Quinda Verheul

For her solo presentation at the KunstRAI, Quinda Verheul created her own universe - her own interpretation of a landscape that she experienced as well as imagined. The different artworks were arranged to create a synergy between the different objects as well as the stories they hold, reflected in their surroundings. This is in line with Quinda’s practice where she explores different topics in different series which in the end are all interconnected. Inspired by the concept of monism, she believes that everything is one; every particle is connected to the bigger thing around us.

Sound of Silence

On view at the KunstRAI was a translation on "The Sound of Silence" - a large scale installation and aesthetic reaction to sand scarcity, dredging, the exploitation of natural resources through and distribution of sand all over the world. A golden sand machine appeared to be dancing a choreography of raining particles, forming different patterns as the days progressed. An endless stream of black, sparkling grains containing another element of reflection that is so characteristic to her practice

Kok-Ayrik, Kegeti & Tian Shan

The works resulting from these series were inspired by Quinda’s journey to Kyrgystan in August 2023, showcasing her love and respect towards the landscape she encountered. Being alone day in, day out, allowed her to become truly one with her environment. Memories of day and night are combined in pink and blue mirrors, with the concrete lines becoming silhouettes of the mountainous terrain, forming a ballet of reflections. It was in this moment that she truly became one with her environment. You can read more about her journey here.

Polylith with Monolith of Verticals by Donald Schenkel

In addition to his works presented at the booth, Donald also presented his Polylith with Monolith of Verticals at the entrance of the KunstRAI - a monumental work that sparked a lot of enthusiasm and interest.

Polylith with Monolith of Verticals brings together four vertical canvases that form one big installation surrounded by numerous painted chunks of glass that invite viewers to move around the work while remaining a level of distance. Complex and colourful transitions made way for a gradient with calm and hazy tones. Each canvas touches a colour at the edge that seems to form the starting point for the next canvas. The continuous 'infinity' of the image is interrupted on the one hand and emphasised at the same time.

Click the image below to read more about this work.

Photography by Jacqueline Fuijckschot