22. februar 2014 - 20. april 2014

 

 

The special exhibition this Spring features works by the Dutch artist Jan Nieuwenhuijs (1922-1986). Though relatively unknown in Denmark, Nieuwenhuijs belonged to the group of artist working in and around Cobra and, like most of the Cobra artists, his art is characterised by a colourful and imaginative style.

 

In 1948, Jan Nieuwenhuijs – in collaboration with artists such as Karel Appel, Constant, and Corneille – founded the "Experimentele groep" in Holland, a group which later that year became part of the international Cobra movement. Both groups had artistic freedom as their ideal. They sought a spontaneous and free form of expression, used untraditional materials, and were constantly experimenting.

 

Jan Nieuwenhuijs soon departed from Cobra, but kept painting in a freely fantasizing style that fully embraced the Cobra ideals. His creative universe is inhabited by fantastic creatures existing in an infinite, indefinable space. Especially in his small, delicate drawings, he achieves a surprisingly powerful effect with modest means.

 

The exhibition comprises 19 paintings and 54 works on paper. Most of the works are on loan from the collection belonging to the artist's widow Mrs. Cocky Nieuwenhuijs-Debet and from Stedelijk Museum Schiedam. The exhibition is one of the first large-scale presentations of the artist and has previously been shown at Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, Holland, and Skovhuset, Værløse, Denmark.