Philip Akkerman has been
painting exclusively self-portraits since 1981. Akkerman regards
himself an everyman's artist; he feels that he belongs to a tradition
dating back to the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, when a new
art market emerged, where art was made by and for ordinary citizens.
Created by an individual, enjoyed by an individual – or, as Philip
says: “From one fool to another”. For this occasion, Akkerman
turns TORCH Gallery into a home.
For a long time
from the 17th century on, artworks were a prominent part of many
interiors, even of those of the less well-off. Lots of regular people
had almost nothing, but they did have paintings in their homes and
workshops. Nowadays, art seems to be reserved for the white walls of
museums and galleries - institutions that Akkerman agrees are
necessary, but that he has a troubled relationship with. Why not
bring the paintings back to the people's homes? Art as 'interior
decoration' is often looked down upon, but Akkerman believes that any
painting looks better in a living room than in the sterile context of
a museum.
The exhibition 'Van een
gek, voor een gek' presents a selection of recent self-portraits by
Philip Akkerman. His self-imposed restriction to self-portraiture
gives him the freedom to experiment wildly with techniques, colours
and shapes. The artist does not care about styles or trends; he
paints whichever way he wants and feels. Every new painting is an
adventure: is this me?
Akkerman has
invited some friends (Bert
Boogaard, Simsa Cho, Zeloot, Houcine Bouchiba, Chris Dagradi, Koen
Taselaar, Bart Baele, Rens Krikhaar) to
show their work alongside his own at the gallery, to help recreate
the home of an art lover.
