Readytex Art Gallery invites you to visit the exhibition currently on display on the ground floor. It is one that is particularly interesting, as it reflects on the current socio-political situation in our country. Curated by Aruna Mungra, Kurt Nahar and Dhiradj Ramsamoedj, the exhibition, titled Here and now. Are we in this together? raises critical questions about leadership, corruption, favoritism, poverty and the economic downfall, but also about the underlying sense of division that is being fed, and fed on, by our leaders.
The scene is poignantly set from the moment you approach the gallery, with a large painting by John Lie A Fo titled Nothing has changed. The imagery reflects on the oppression and exploitation that started with colonialism by the Europeans, and which can still be seen today, think for example of neocolonialism and the way many modern leaders still rule in this day and age. At the same time, it also references the ongoing struggle of the Indigenous for their territorial rights. This work is flanked by two smaller paintings of the same artist, which on the surface display a more positive and playful imagery, but which were chosen by the curators as metaphors for favoritism and poverty. Nearby works from other artists are symbolic of many politicians’ double agendas, often putting personal gains above the well-being of society as a whole. Immediately eye catching among the predominantly black and gray collection in the main hall, is an impressive large triptych by Sunil Puljhun, Tears of a Nation 1-3, in which the artist uses iconic Surinamese imagery to reflect on the dire state of the country’s finances, politics and the faith of the people in a better future.
The exhibition is filled with many other striking artworks selected by the curators because they either directly or metaphorically touch on prevailing issues undermining the progress and the wellbeing of our country. Balancing out the exhibition however, are a number of artworks, by Reinier Asmoredjo and Paul Chang for example, that do reflect hope for a better future together. And quite importantly also, certain pieces chosen for their symbolic call for critical self-reflection, stressing the need for people to work together instead of against each other, to work on their own development and thus make their own contribution to the progress of the country.
So, to join in and learn more about this important dialogue and the choices that the curators made, please visit Here and now. Are we in this together? The exhibition is on display until Saturday, April 1.
Team Readytex Art Gallery