To mark twenty-five years of Han Nefkens as a patron of the arts, the Han Nefkens Foundation announces the release of its latest book, a first-time collaboration between literature and video art. Alongside the book, the Foundation will launch a series of panels titled “Flow Talks: Introducing The Joy of Sharing”, featuring discussions that explore the connections between art, literature, and imagination.
The book, featuring a special-edition cover of Seven Intellectuals (2023) by artist Thao Nguyễn Phan, celebrates two of Han Nefkens’ most esteemed passions: his love for art and his love for writing as a writer himself. Edited by Hilde Teerlinck, Director of the Han Nefkens Foundation, this project invited twenty-five international writers and poets to craft original works inspired by video art produced by the Foundation. The result is a collection of works that demonstrate how moving images can spark creative ideas and new perspectives.
Participating writers include renowned voices such as Kyung-sook Shin (1963, South Korea), Marjorie Evasco (1953, Philippines), Nazli Ghassemi (1966, Iran), Amanda Lee Koe (1987, Singapore), An Yu (1992, China), Cristina Morales (1985, Spain), Prabda Yoon (1973, Thailand), Rowan Hisayo Buchanan (1989, United Kingdom), Wu Ming-Yi (1971, Taiwan), and Carol Bensimon (1982, Brazil). The roster also includes emerging and established literary talents such as Faisal Tehrani (1974, Malaysia), Eduardo Ruiz Sosa (1983, Mexico), Tomoka Shibasaki (1973, Japan), Manuel Forcano (1968, Spain), Tsotne Tskhvediani (1992, Georgia), Gaspar Peñaloza (1994, Chile), Nguyen Thuy Hang (1978, Vietnam), Inez Tan (1990, USA), Najwan Darwish (1978, Palestine), Matías Candeira (1984, Spain), Norman Erikson Pasaribu (1990, Indonesia), Shalim M Hussain (1987, India), Chikọdịlị Emelụmadụ (United Kingdom), and Kyla Pasha (1979, Pakistan).
The project highlights a reversal of the usual dynamic, where many of the Foundation’s collaborating artists have drawn inspiration from literature. The writers responded to moving images created by celebrated video artists and the result is a vibrant collection of stories and reflections that demonstrate the transformative power of visual art in sparking new ideas and perspectives in literature. The book presents these texts in their original language, honouring the writers’ voices and cultural contexts, and includes English translations to ensure accessibility for a global audience.
To complement the book, the Flow Talks: Introducing The Joy of Sharing panels will each feature a participating writer in conversation with Han Nefkens. These discussions will revolve around the writers’ sources of inspiration, offering insight into how the selected video works sparked their creative processes and shaped their contributions to the book, while also providing audiences with insight into the Foundation’s projects.
The book, published by ACTAR, is now available for purchase here. Both the book and the Flow Talks program reflect the Han Nefkens Foundation’s commitment to promoting cultural dialogue and supporting both emerging and established artists.
Details of the launch event and Flow Talks
Flow Talks: Han Nefkens in conversation with Faisal Tehrani at Ilham Gallery, Kuala Lumpur
Discussing Jungju An, “Hand in Hand with Amigos Para Siempre”
January 11, 2025
Ilham Gallery, Kuala Lumpur
Flow Talks: Han Nefkens in conversation with Nguyen Thuy Hang at the Netherlands Consulate, Ho Chi Minh City
Discussing Heecheon Ki, “Every Smooth Thing Through Mesher”
January 16, 2025
Netherlands Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City
Flow Talks: Han Nefkens in conversation with Nazli Ghassemi at Art Jameel, Dubai
Discussing Zhou Tao, “Blue and Red”
February 22, 2025
Art Jameel, Dubai
Flow Talks: Han Nefkens in conversation with An Yu at M+, Hong Kong
Discussing Korakrit Arunanondcha, “Songs for Dying”
March 19, 2025
M+, Hong Kong
Flow Talks: Han Nefkens in conversation with Wu Ming-Yi at MOCA, Taipei
Discussing Thao Nguyen Phan, “Becoming Alluvium”
April 24, 2025
MOCA, Taipei
