Everyday portraits in a series of daily drawings and a city portrait of Enschede.
The Exhibition
Since 2003, Astrid Oudheusden has been making a drawing or painting every day. Sometimes only with lines, sometimes with cut-out pieces of paper layered on top of each other, and at other times a portrait. Each daily drawing is different, just as every day is different, with new ideas, new encounters, and new stories. The series of daily drawings provides a unique reflection of time and, at the same time, a glimpse into the artist’s practice.
Astrid Oudheusden paints everyday scenes that are interesting precisely because of their apparent insignificance. They seem like in-between scenes, moments between other, more eventful moments: someone tying their shoelaces, figures standing up from a chair, a person knitting. Not remarkable or shocking events, but depictions of carefreeness. The composition of the canvas and her way of painting make it even more intriguing and nothing like the carefreeness of the figures. It is a strong combination of clean planes and the play with the possibilities that paint offers.
Oudheusden’s paintings are pause moments where your eyes can rest for a while.
The scenes she paints are moments you might long to experience yourself. Not necessarily tying your shoelaces, but what these scenes represent: those nothing-to-worry-about moments, like being at home without obligations or reading in bed undisturbed. Very simple, everyday moments which, however simple and everyday they are, don’t occur often and are therefore especially precious.
Such a doing-nothing moment carries a tension in the paradox of the ordinary that becomes extraordinary. Just like her paintings: they never become boring. The moment captured may be a dull, everyday one, but through her painting style, your gaze keeps returning to that one person who, as if nothing better needed to be done, is calmly reading in bed. Like an ode to dullness. (text: Jegens&Tevens, “spelen in Villa de Bank”).
Especially for the exhibition Iemand en Niemand (Someone and No One), Astrid created a portrait of Enschede. Ten residents form an artistic reflection of us all, ten portraits together shaping the one portrait of the city. The work shows the diversity of the city that connects us. With special thanks to our characters: The Teenager, The Professor, The Spanish Immigrant, The Turkish Neighbor, The Student, The Physiotherapist, The Photographer, The Herbalist, The Musician, and The Mechanic. The city portrait will be unveiled on January 12, 2024, by Mayor Roelof Bleker.