Exposition Guide
Welcome to Confessions to Freedom, an exhibition by SOFI in collaboration with the W Hotel Amsterdam. This exhibition guide should serve as helpful context for viewing and enjoying the artwork’s on display. We want you to connect with the art in your own way but highly encourage talking to the artists themselves.The average person looks at a museum piece of art for less than 7 seconds, be better than average! Focus, explore, think - then consult this guide for more when you take another look. Always look twice or you might have missed it.
The order of the exhibitions are as you would encounter them walking around the W Lounge. As an environment, and sustainability focused art house, producing a digital guide allows us to reduce consumption and ensure you can revisit what you saw in person. Each Kilogram of clothing also on display saves over 20kg of CO2 emitted into the environment. You are looking at our vision off the sustainable fashion and art market- its beautiful, its wise.
Taro Kuijpers
Taro is a young dutch artist making significant traction in his art career and within the art market. To Taro “connection might be the single most important aspect of are human existence. Yet we’ll have to make do with a tool so limited, language. This limitation might prevent us from ever truly knowing one another or even understanding one another on a more basic level. Ultimately, this withholds us from the one thing we seek, connection.”
The “Unspoken” collection he is working on presents the profound difficulty of translating ones own thoughts and emotions into words. Recognizing the shared human struggle to express the inexpressible and to understand the barely articulated. The interaction between the pieces in this series speaks to the space between what is felt and what is understood – the void that language attempts to bridge. The second collection on display, "Duet of Expression and Reception,"aims to create a silent dialogue between the artwork and the audience, compelling viewers to reflect on their own experiences of communication, miscommunication, and the universal quest for connection beyond words.
“Shattered Clarity” is a representation of the fragmented self and the Dissonance of Self-Perception, manifesting the internal conflict between our various identities and their nature. Through the sharp contrasts and multifaceted imagery, it confronts the viewer with the splintered aspects of self-perception and the ongoing struggle to piece together a coherent self-image.
Accompanying Poem:
In the mirror, in my mind.
I see someone, a fractured sight,
What I’m seeing, what I find
A loose complexion of shadows, light
Pieces scattered, ill defined
Who I see in the mirror, is not quite right
Harmony Amidst Havoc, portais the minds call for inner silence and its pursuit of inner peace in the midst of chaos. Illustrated is the personal sanctuary one can create within, which offers a sense of calmness.
Accompanying poem:
In the eye of the storm, a quiet plea
From your mind and where it wants to be
In a moment, a place, where the soul roams free
Peace is found from within Amidst the havoc, amidst the sin Harmony can still begin
"The Language of Utterance," portrays the act of talking and symbolises the human endeavor to convey thoughts and feelings. The vibrant strokes of acrylic inks on a wooden canvas depict a the thoughts of a person engaged in conversation, with the colourfulness of the mind being translated into words. Words that remain fragmented and abstract, representing the twisted challenge of giving a voice to whats happening inside.
Accompanying Poem:
In bright colours my emotions play
My words, they echo, and drift away
With every thought, I try to speak
The language of the heart, what I seek
With every word, I say with grace
I know my soul is on a chase.
To voice itself, to make it known,
In abstract forms, my feelings shown.
The Language of Utterance, a vivid song
Where words and thoughts, they both belong.
Yet I still struggle to convey,
The depths of what we wish to say.
C3naa
C3naa is an anonymous Iranian dissident artist. He still lives in Iran and sells work online, primarily through the blockchain. These pieces are his early physical works, before he could afford an iPad to create digital works. He now primarily produces digital artwork but is still known to smuggle physicals to collectors using various illusive measures. This exhibition represents the first ever public exhibition of his physical artwork as should he show these works in Iran he would certainly be reported to the authorities and likely executed, as many others have been. He risks his life to document the struggle for freedom in Iran. We are truly honoured to display these works to you and we implore you to look into this artists story and artworks beyond what we have displayed here as we cannot ever do justice to this artistic heroism. This is truly only a brief slice of what this artist has offered to the world. With artwork in 5 continents his message and legacy are sure to be long lived.
The Anti-hero. People's Beloved Champ. It is not known who this image depicts but coming from Iran, it is likely Ali Khameini, the supreme leader of Iran. Blood reds and royal royal purples cover the image, as ominous figures alive and dead witness the figure in the centre. The name Anti-hero references main characters lacking the typical traits associated with heroes. This piece asks us to consider who we follow, who we are following, and who the people in Iran follow.
Front Towards Enemy. Fight or flight? Flight was never an option.
This acrylic is of two characters under a red sun, though it looks simple on the surface the piece hides tragic and personal symbolism under minimalisms guise. The name references the instructions on the front of a claymore, an explosive military device. The piece was made by the artist following the death of a friend during a protest in Iran in 2019 where over 300 people where killed, highlighting the deep personal loses and heroism of those fighting authoritarianism and injustice.
Hope. to hope, the only thing that keeps us alive.
This portrait is a rare image in the artists work as typically his images tell the stories of others, rarely placing himself as the centre. Living and selling art anonymously online requires him to lead a double life. When asked why he fights against all odds, “hope” is the answer.
Despair. a self portrait on a down day. to despair, so may we cherish hope.
We have chosen not to add any more context for this image.
Yonah de Beer
De Beer is a Dutch artist with a strong, unique, and expressionist visual style. In his own words “My work is philosophy materialized. Art to me is also political, because the personal is political. I cannot purge my emotions/thoughts onto canvas without also reflecting on the ideology that gave shape to my perspective. My art tries to reflect on the interconnectedness of all things. Finally, my art is there to drown in.” We encourage viewers to look deeply into Yonah’s work as with strong sales recently more eyes are bound to be on works and lasting contributions to the art communities he is involved with. With these successes he is for sure a breakout artist to watch out for.
A lot of de Beer's work is about trauma. So is Overleven of Leven. Overleven of Leven was inspired by a confrontation between de Beer and his ex girlfriend. During this confrontation de Beer expressed how he had felt as if she wasn't able to hear his words, and that he didn't feel accepted. They fought and de Beer continued to feel as he, and his emotions, weren't acknowledged. This triggered him. De Beer struggled to find recognition for his emotions, his reality and his perspective throughout his life. He always felt as if he had to fight for validation. But during this argument, he lost his will to fight. He suffered a panic attack. To calm himself down he spoke to his innerself. To his younger self. He told him that he could stop fighting. He promised his younger self that he was safe eventhough it didn't feel like it. How he would protect himself and start to validate himself, rather than seeking validation from others. This painting marks the start of de Beer using his art to heal from traumas. It marked the start of him gaining autonomy over his coping mechanisms and using his art to share his most private stories with an audience. His work pivots around appealing to others to reflect on their relationship with their inner child and how they themselves validate or deny other people their experience.
Lost Love was created in the same period as Overleven of Leven. It is about breaking up with his ex. It is about heartbreak but also about rebirth. The text on the painting reads: Love lost maar geen lost love. To de Beer this means saying goodbye to a great source of love but also recognizing that it wasn't healthy any more. That losing loving is painful, but at the same time it also teaches one that it doesn't mean that love as a source in itself, has been lost. Love is a powerful creative force. The absence of love inspires artistic work, but the presence also enables to create. This also challenges the idea that artists should suffer to create. De Beer couldn't be who he was in his previous relationship and that meant that the relationship had become unhealthy. To be oneself is fundamental to being free. De Beer learned that he had to guarantee his own freedom.
Builder is one of de Beer's earlier works. In this period of his career, he focussed on the expression as a form of emancipation from crippling procrastination. Expression and creation became an escape for de Beer. An escape from the mentality that withheld him from creativity for a very long time. But also an escape from low self worth as a human being. Builder is about our right as human beings to build the world around us. How every decision and every interaction affects the way reality is constructed. It reflects on de Beer's creative journey as a means to enable him to participate in the creation of a intersubjective reality. The painting appeals to the viewer and asks them what it is that holds them back. It asks: what do you need in order to produce a conscious interaction with the world?
Carnica is inspired by Guernica by Pablo Picasso. Similar to Guernica, Carnica portrays a violence done unto ourselves. Carnica focusses on the violence we commit against nature, a system we as humans belong to but from which we distance ourselves as a society. Carnica appeals to our lost connection to living beings. It isn't necessarily an appeal to veganism. Carnica asks the viewer to reflect on their relationship to the world and to all living beings present. It portrays the bloody reality of the capitalist system, domestication and freedom.
SOS is about a close friend of Yonah de Beer. This friend battled with a cocaine addiction. De Beer had to process this and by expressing his emotional process, he discovered a lot about addiction and his own relationship to destructive coping mechanisms. Sos is dutch slang for cocaine, but it also means Save Our Souls in maritime code. (Cocaine) addiction takes away one's sense of honesty, one's sense of connection, it perpetuates the conditions for an individual to continue using without addressing the root causes for addiction. Each breaking point is characterized by great sadness, that becomes worthless without a serious attempt to stop. This is portrayed in the painting as tears in the form of flies. Every time one tries to smash a fly, it escapes. Unless we try to find the cause for the fly to be there, killing it will be impossible. This painting is about addiction and how it changes one's perception of reality.
Terra Nova is an exploration of different materials. The artwork consists of a variety of different painting mediums. Each one colored black. The black colors have different textures and shades. They portray the multitude of lost things that once belonged to this world. The work reflects on a state of consciousness that has lost hope. How after hopelessness, creation must become a priority. Terra Nova asks the viewer to question the starting point of creation. Does creation begin as a departure from a point where we have destroyed all that has held us back. Or, is creation possible as a continuation of that which already is. Terra Nova displays the opposition between the phoenix mentality, where one arises from the ashes of the past, or the beaver mentality, where one uses what is to regulate and create a new version of reality.
Yonah’ vision for this artwork was to reinterpret one of the artworks that hangs on the wall of his grandparents’ house. He spent a lot of time there. His grandparent’s place was where de Beer felt safe, and free. It was also a place de Beer could to escape to, when he didn’t feel safe in his own house. The painting on the wall is still there. It has been there since before de Beer was born.
Saeed ZAmzam
Saeed Zamzam is a Syrian born artist with an incredible story and portfolio. He has an extremely strong technical background and a long and impactful career in the arts. His latest works are based around the concept of one continuous line, yet within these rigid guidelines, he creates such strong visual narratives, portrayals of texture, and emotion. He is often found painting with rare gold paints, enhancing the already beautiful works. His works features discuss concepts of freedom and love, control and manipulation, beauty and chaos. Saeed is an artist that you simply must pay attention to.
Love is love; there are no conditions to it. It's a moment where time can stand still, yet everything can come to an end afterward. Just cherish every moment, for love is simply love.
As if the soul chose independence by itself, searching for its destiny, because the body surrendered to its constrained fate. The past has no presence amid the rubble of memories, becoming an emotionless mass dominated by stillness.
We are all connected, in movements, actions, and words, as if we were one tape of memories. There is someone who connects us and controls us, and we only feel connected.
Like a melody playing among the peaks of nostalgia, she shines like a butterfly, and threads of memories swirl around her, carrying a history of joy and sorrow. Her wings, a symbol of the freedom of the soul, bear stories of yesterday and today. With elegance, she connects the past and the present, narrating a story from the beautiful time.
As if it's just a language for communication and expression. Is it a cry of indifference or an attempt to attract attention? Is it a scream born of pain or simply a cry to express inner turmoil? It's as if I want to scream without seeing anything, and there someone is preventing me.”
The language of silence or suppression. Choosing to be silent or being forced into it. Only contemplation and stillness, perhaps internal silence speaks more. An inner feeling that makes me speak with my eyes because of those who silenced the mouth.
Deep within the heart, a silent voice speaks, in words only the soul can truly understand.In the quiet moments, thoughts dance in silence, Weaving threads of silence into verses of gold.For silence is not weakness, but a hidden strength, connecting hearts with calm spirits.Let's preserve the language of silence within us, to narrate life's story with the sweetest, tranquil words.
Defying all odds, her posture exudes steadfastness, clearly influenced by the strength of her wings. It is a life story that inspires women to embrace resilience and determination.
Yassine Oumghar
YASSA is a visual designer who has worked mainly in the dutch music industry but also has done work with Trippie red, Rarri, 6ix9ine, and Meek mill. He creates digital artwork and often accompanying sculptures and physicals, some of which we have displayed. He is a truly promising artist who is at the cutting edge of the art creation industry. Working with modern technology allows his to create in ways uniquely possible to those with Yassine’s skillset.
This artwork is an exploration of fearless authenticity, challenging the viewer to confront their unfiltered selves. Yassine Oumghar introduces "Uggar," an alter ego that emerges from the depths of raw emotion and unspoken truths, Uggar serves as both provocateur and oracle.
"ZEN (UGGAR)" is am immersion into the emotional landscape where vulnerability and strength coexist. Through Uggar's eyes, viewers witness the unapologetic assertion of self, a fearless declaration that resonates with the echoes of personal truth, becoming a profound exploration of self-acceptance and the power that lies in embracing the unfiltered essence within. Yassine Oumghar has unveiled a soul, bared and exposed, resonating with the unspoken emotions that bind us all.
"Parent's Perspective" encapsulates the paradoxical essence of parenthood, where the golden heart symbolizes the dreams and aspirations parents hold for their children, while the gun signifies the potential exposure to a world fraught with challenges. It is an exploration of the dual nature of upbringing—a constant negotiation between fostering love and shielding from the harsh realities beyond.
At the heart of this powerful composition stands a golden tank. Its cannon, once an instrument of devastation, now erupts in a vibrant explosion of flowers. The juxtaposition of the formidable tank and the delicate blossoms is a visual poetry that encourages reflection on the profound choice between love and conflict.
In golden armour, the tank embodies an alternative form of strength—one rooted in compassion, empathy, and an unwavering belief that, even in the face of adversity, the inherent beauty of humanity can flourish.
"Make Love Not War" is a compelling call to action and an anthem for a world yearning for harmony. This artwork challenges us to reshape our narratives, inspiring a shift from hostility to mutual understanding - each petal emerging from the cannon represents a promise of a brighter, more compassionate future.
Gold adorns every inch, a reflection of insatiable desire. Greed, a shimmering cloak that tempts us all, reminding us that abundance must be met with a generous heart. Taking the life of a flower just to satisfy our greed for a little scent and beauty.
A cross legged sitting pose captures the essence of inaction, not as a flaw, but as a momentary pause in the ceaseless rhythm of life. Sloth, a gentle whisper reminding us that rest is as vital as motion.This depicts sitting under the shower enjoying the warmth but wasting water and energy as you get lost in thought.
Golden curves entwine in a dance of desire, capturing the essence of passion without surrendering to the explicit. Lust, a subtle acknowledgement that the pursuit of connection and intimacy is a fundamental aspect of our shared humanity.
Gaspard Buton
Gaspard Buton is a French photographer who is fascinated with subcultures surrounding Paris. The works in this exhibition are from a study that looks into the Parisian bicycle culture. His amazing black and white shots provide a glimpse in the freedom and beauty within acts considered by many to be unsafe. The descriptions below are lovingly provided by the cyclists photographed.
“Bike life is a lifestyle on two wheels that originated in the American and British ghettos. Easily identifiable, those who have adopted this lifestyle travel in groups and cycle most of the time on the rear wheel. More than just a hobby, it's a real state of mind. These riders cruise the streets of Paris at top speed, defying the police, motorists and pedestrians. It was in this context that I set out to photograph this sub-culture or counter-culture, often practised by young people, and to highlight their highly aesthetic and political occupation of public space.”
ACHIL (@achil_jly)
“For me, Bike Life is street art”
Abdelkader Elbachbechy (@abdelxiv),
“Bike life is more than a sport, it's a passion, especially when you finish school and relax at the weekend. Standing on my bike gives me a lot of pleasure, wearing my balaclava, my glasses and my helmet so that no-one can recognises me or see where I'm looking when I'm surfing. I've been nicknamed the "Silver Surfer" or the "Crazy Surfer" because I'm afraid of nothing. And you have to fall in order to learn and go beyond your limits without being afraid, to see further and further ahead”
Elias Bayrakcioglu (@sa_sobre),
“The bikelife represents freedom for me. It's the best way to forget life's problems and be surrounded by people who mean something to me.”
And Ugobombsquad (@ugobombsquad) from the Bombsquad Team
““Bike Life is a sport of freedom, where you give the best of yourself with the aim of becoming better. It's also a sport that brings together different personalities and creates a positive spirit
@trafficboi_raf, @bck.tps.
“For me, bike life means freedom, getting out of the system for a few hours when you're riding”
Reda (@rdlf.reda) from the Rdlf Team
“Bike life is more than a lifestyle, it's a family”
@trafficboi_raf
“Freedom.”
Maria De Cobo LEon
Maria De Cobo Leon is a brilliant young spanish artist. Having completely her studies in psychology and neurochemistry she has taken her practise to new heights, which we are proud to display for you. Having already completed two exhibitions this year, in the Netherlands and Madrid, this young artist deserves strong attention. Her work is an heartfelt expressionist exploration of herself, leading to her work feeling strongly understandable and relatable.
In this composition, expressionist lines serve as as a poignant exploration of the human spirit's unwavering quest for a unique vision when surrounded by forces intent on obscuring the truth. The dark hues, reminiscent of a veiled night sky, symbolize the opacity imposed by external influences, seeking to cast shadows upon the artist's perception.
In this painting, an individual, standing at the crossroads of conformity, begins to unravel into a cascade of feathers the moment an attempt is made to confine them. Each feather becomes a testament to the fragility and ephemeral beauty of the human spirit when faced with the weight of societal expectations. "Taking Off" stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, urging the viewer to reflect on the cost of conformity and the boundless beauty that unfurls when one bravely takes flight against the winds of oppression.
"Chaotic Perspective" plunges the viewer into a visual cacophony, a convergence of line-art faces and hands that mirrors the disorienting nature of modern existence. Faces meld together, each contour and expression lost in the collective tangle, and hands reach out in a desperate bid for connection amid the confusion. This chaotic fusion of forms serves as a profound meditation on the overwhelming influx of information, the erosion of individuality, and the perennial quest for meaning in a world where clarity remains elusive.
In the tumultuous dance of these entangled lines, the lack of focus becomes a powerful metaphor for the struggle to maintain coherence in the face of life's relentless complexities.
Aurore Auzoley
Aurore is a french artist with tremendously noteworthy work- unfortunately we will not able to physically display these works. However, visitors should still get to see her stunning contributions to this curation. The artworks have been temporarily been lost in transit causing significant stress for the young artist. Her work is simply stunning, painting almost photo-realistically with acrylics - they truly must be seen something We hope to give you the opportunity to do soon. A standout artist in the Parisian art scene, the works in this curation depict women in deeply special way, reflecting her own understanding of the world around her.
Portrait d'une jeune fille en pleure, is a black-and-white acrylic painting on which splashes of paint come crashing down. Emotions can be intense, especially at a young age. Tears have many causes: they can be linked to sadness, joy, love or death. But as long as they flow, there's life.
Always with the idea of a black-and-white acrylic portrait, like a photo coming to life under the splashes.
Underneath her impassive air, this young girl lets herself be betrayed by a slight sneer. To understand her, you have to look into her eyes. The ones we call the mirror of the soul.
Behind that slight smile lies determination. A gentleness that doesn't let go. Each person will see the emotions that emerge, according to their own perception and sensitivity, because behind a face lies so much.
A portrait and a game where everyone has their own vision. Beneath her natural, angelic exterior, this young woman can be laughing, mocking, shy or assertive. The portrait evolves according to the dimension and the gaze we give it, and it also depends on our mood, our experience. A portrait is not just the reproduction of a face, it's an attempt to capture something that goes beyond physical features.