Offspring 2019: Once a Closely Guarded Secret

De Ateliers proudly presents the 14th edition of Offspring, curated by Martin Herbert: Once a Closely Guarded Secret

Participating artists: Gabrielė Adomaitytė, Anders Dickson, Eulàlia Garcia Valls, Inas Halabi, Frieder Haller, Henna Hyvärinen, Clémence de La Tour du Pin, Rustan Söderling, Thomas Swinkels, Dieke Venema

Offspring 2019’s title Once a Closely Guarded Secret speaks to the conditions of creating art over a period of time within a postgraduate institution, in the cloister of one’s studio and the specific developmental atmosphere of De Ateliers. With regard to the participants in Offspring 2019, it might frequently be seen to reflect aspects of private and inner life, whether esoteric or political or reflecting the predations of technology; and to mark a moment when the program itself turns its face to the public. More widely, it serves as a summa of the twisting journey that all art makes, from the artist’s mind—the unconscious, even—to the viewer: a movement, that is, from figurative darkness to light.

Since 2006, De Ateliers presents its yearly final presentation under the Offspring-moniker. In this exhibition staged at De Ateliers’ monumental 19th century premises in the center of Amsterdam, participants concluding their two-year working period present their work. Each year, a guest curator is invited to curate the exhibition. Once a Closely Guarded Secret is curated by Berlin-based writer and curator Martin Herbert. Graphic designers Phil Baber and Elisabeth Rafstedt (Amsterdam) designed the catalogue and campaign.

During the exhibition a public programme will be organised, consisting of tours and a radio show. The radio show will be presented on June 1 and 8, in collaboration with radio collective Ja Ja Ja Nee Nee Nee. 

You are cordially invited to the festive opening on Friday, May 24, 6–9pm in the presence of the Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Ms. Ingrid van Engelshoven.

De Ateliers, an international artist institute in Amsterdam, founded in 1963, is generously supported by Ateliers Support Fund and Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.