During Art Rotterdam 2024, In booth 60 at the main section we present artists Natacha Mankowski (FR, 1986), Erik Mattijssen (NL, 1957), Saar Scheerlings (NL, 1990) and Mirjam Vreeswijk (NL, 1997).

The artworks in the booth show us the way we connect our beliefs and memories to landscapes and objects. And how landscapes and objects make our own histories live on, and function as reminders of our existence, as lieux de mémoires.

Natacha Mankowski and Mirjam Vreeswijk are pushing the boundaries of landscape painting. Mankowski takes a keen interest in sites such as stone quarries, from which architects and builders collect their raw materials. She travels to quarries in Greece and Italy to research the composition of the earth, and history of the place. Her paintings are depictions of these landscapes. They are characterized by an exuberant use of the impasto technique and the use of her self made oil pastels, made from materials she collects at the sites she researches. Mirjam Vreeswijk combines the inanity of decorative objects with the elusiveness of overwhelming landscapes in her paintings, which have a melancholic and surrealistic aura, reminiscent of film scenes.

Erik Mattijssen’s works on paper show the dedication with which we collect objects to prove our existence and keep our memories alive. Like Proust's madeleines, they tap into layers of our subconscious and retrieve memories. The textile talisman sculptures of Saar Scheerlings evoke associations with Greek stelae, Celtic crosses, Indian lingams and much more. They effortlessly fold into any faith or superstition. Her work demonstrates the meaning and powers we still attribute to objects in our secularised society.

The four artists have all gained international reputation in the last two years. Natacha Mankowski had shows in Luxembourg (Valerius Gallery), Barcelona, (Galeria Alegria) and Antwerp (Everyday Gallery). Mirjam Vreeswijk was picked up by L.A. Gallery Sow & Tailor and showed in both L.A. and New York and with Gallery Kabinett during Art Busan. Erik Mattijssen exhibited in Mexico (Casa Colon), Riga (Maksla XO) and Antwerp (Raf van Severen). Saar Scheerlings exhibited with us at SWAB art fair in Barcelona and at HAGD Contemporary in Denmark.