Artistes roms
Geopolitics

Exile, Minorities, 22 November 2018

Artistes roms

Of Art and Respect

Chronicle by Isabelle Rodriguez

Summary

“We are the only European pavilion!” is what conservationist and exhibition curator Tímea Junghaus could proudly claim about her pavilion “Paradise Lost” installed inside the Palazzo Pisani during the 52nd Venice Biennale in 2007. Indeed, the pavilion presented works by Roma artists from the four corners of Europe, and from different nationalities. It was the first of its kind for this international event, above all in terms of visibility garnered for artists from this culture.

Although the Roma are the largest minority in Europe, between 11 and 12 million individuals strewn across all European countries, their art and culture remain for the most part completely unknown to the greater public, since their works are rarely exhibited in national museums. This absence of representation in the cultural sphere feeds prejudices about their community and inhibits rather than encourages Roma artists from presenting their artistic practices.

So this visibility and value given to the oft-deformed image of this culture was long overdue.

After four years in the making it is done, and Roma art finally has a permanent space: The European Roma Institute for Art and Culture (ERIAC) opened its doors in June 2017. The institute hosts various artists and researchers, and is the fruit of a synergy between the European Council, the Open Society Foundation and the German government. Located in Berlin, a pivotal and symbolic city where East meets West, ERIAC seeks to “preserve, rebuild and develop Roma identity and self-esteem” by themselves, and for everyone.

During the inaugural exhibition Transgressing the Past, Shaping the Future, the public could discover works by Gabi Jimenez, Emilia Rivoga, Sead Kazanxhiu or Daniel Baker, under the leadership of ERIAC’s director, who is none other than Tímea Junghaus.

Ceija Stojka, Frauenlager Ravensbrück, April, 30, 1992, acrylic on cardboard, 50 x 65 cm. Marcus and Patricia Meier Collection, Vienna

Ceija Stojka, Frauenlager Ravensbrück, April, 30, 1992, acrylic on cardboard, 50 x 65 cm. Marcus and Patricia Meier Collection, Vienna

Translation by Maya Dalinsky
Cover: Nihad Nino Pušija Triptych. 1996, 2007 Installation, wallpaper, photos, 60 x 55 cm each

[wp-faq-schema accordion="1"]
Do you want to react?
[wpforms id="17437"]

Read also...

Jean Dupuy par Renaud Monfourny pour la galerie Loevenbruck
04
04

Hommage à Jean Dupuy

Discover the edition
Beaucoup plus de moins
03
03

Beaucoup plus de moins

Discover the edition
Encyclopédie des guerres
02
02

L’Encyclopédie des guerres (Aluminium-Tigre)

Discover the edition
O. Loys, bal des Incohérents
001
001

Décembre 2021

Discover the edition
Younes Baba Ali, art et activisme en Belgique
01
01

Art et engagement Enquête en Belgique

Discover the edition

Parcourir nos collections