ITS OWN FORM OF IMAGERY
Voluptas: the daughter of Cupid and Psyche, goddess of sensual feelings, pleasure and joy. This is reflected in the works of Anke Knapper and Dilara Ulu: sex as an expression of pleasure and joy, a fantasy world in which anything goes. Upon entering Gallery H200, two large works by Ulu stand out immediately, a combination of drawing and painting and the use of collage. Both works seem to tell a story about relationships, sexual expression and the somewhat embarrassing topics she depicts, for example, by using pictures of fish that appear to be exploring the vulva. Her art books are also narrative treasures reflecting the world through Ulu's eyes. You look through them over and over again, because in Ulu's humorous works, you always discover something new. Nevertheless, her work addresses important topics that are still taboo: nudity, sexuality, intimate relationships and all this combined with her admiration for nature, which she likes to incorporate into her art. As she says herself, she is developing her own form of visual language in which she discovers and shapes her worlds. Her work is rough — occasionally sketch-like — but purposeful. ‘Perfection is so incredibly boring; I'm not looking for that either.’
Her art books are also narrative treasures reflecting the world through Ulu's eyes. You look through them over and over again, because in her humorous works, you always discover something new. Nevertheless, Ulu's work addresses important topics that are still taboo: nudity, sexuality, intimate relationships and all this combined with her admiration for nature, which she likes to incorporate into her art. As she says herself, she is developing her own form of visual language in which she discovers and shapes her worlds. Her work is rough — occasionally sketch-like — but purposeful. ‘Perfection is so incredibly boring; I'm not looking for that either.’
‘CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE NO LONGER A VIRGIN!’
Where Dilara Ulu discovers her worlds, Anke Knapper shapes the world she has already discovered with her art book ‘De eerste keer’ (The First Time). Like Knapper's previous work, this book is incredibly colourful and exudes power precisely because of the simplicity with which she depicts her stories. The first time is different for everyone, and each story about it is unique, as are those of Knapper and the people close to her.
She gave the experience of your first time visual form and combined it in her art book with real stories from friends. With texts like ‘I thought he wasn't in the right hole, but I was afraid to say anything’ and ‘when we were done he said “CONGRATULATIONS you are no longer a virgin”’, it is not only interesting to look at, but also fun to read. The images are not off-putting or daunting, but actually rather inviting. It invites you to talk about sex or your first time, and that is exactly what Knapper aims to achieve, as does Ulu: to break the taboo around sexuality.
EVEN MORE TO SEE
In addition to the work of Anke Knapper and Dilara Ulu, the exhibition is complemented by Anouk Remminga's MeToo zines and art books by various other artists such as Erwin Olaf, DiRosa, Arjan Ederveen & Tosca Niterink as well as the gallery owner himself: Minke van der Velde
Books of Voluptas was on display until 3 November 2018 at Gallery H200.