How much Emo Verkerk can a human being endure? We ponder in excess and perhaps even beyond what we thought. This question can be answered because the responses to the retrospective exhibition “Graag of Niet” at the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag (opened on November 15th) have been overwhelming from both the audience, fellow artists, and the press. And as the gallery representing Emo, we are eager to capitalize on this (though it may not display proper modesty). We cordially invite you to the opening on December 13th of a small yet refined presentation featuring several works centered around Belle van Zuylen. Paintings from the powdered-wig era. Belle dressed for a ball in The Hague, caught in Scheveningen under the full moon. And somewhere a horse appears, though I have not found it yet. But Belle has. Come see for yourself and perhaps discover who lies behind the powder and the wig.
Such a retrospective exhibition stirs up much emotion and proves that Emo has long awaited this significant showcase. And now it seems as if an unknown talent has emerged from the depths of faraway Den Helder; with so much astonishment and admiration, the works are (re)discovered. Of course, this is nonsense. Those who have been following the work of this idiosyncratic image-maker for years are familiar with the scope of his talent. As with much good art, his oeuvre demands to be conquered by its viewers. And that is not always easy with such contrariness. Moving against the current suits the character of Verkerk, who cleverly takes advantage of it. Each artwork is its own universe in which it is pulled and pushed until the construction stands, only to almost fall again at the same moment. Not a hackneyed style, but an unequivocal ode to imagination and painting, where the outcome is never certain.
www.ftn-books.com has several Verkerk items for sale.
