A Closer look at Photorealism

Esiri Erheriene-Essi, Main Lounge drinks on the Queen Mary (Cunard Lines), 2023 160 x 238 cm © Esiri Erheriene-Essi Photo: Gert Jan van Rooij

On view at the Centraal Museum, In Focus: A Closer Look at Photorealism zooms in on the museum’s extensive collection of American Photorealism. Photorealism is also known as Hyperrealism, an emerging movement originating from the US in the late 60s, where artists visualise every day scenes and objects in immaculate detail. Artists rebelled against abstract art and posed questions about the growing influence of visual culture on society.

The museum’s artistic director, Bart Rutten: 'The Centraal Museum has the largest collection of American Photorealism in a single location in Europe, with works by iconic artists such as Don Eddy, Malcolm Morley and Chuck Close. We are showing a large selection of these works together in the museum for the first time since 1988, supplemented with special international loans. In Focus promises to be a visually overwhelming exhibition, not least because of the enormous size of many of the works on display.’

In Focus features works by John De Andrea, Richard Artschwager, Robert Bechtle, Frank Benson, Thomas Blackwell, Jhonie van Boeijen, Britto Arts Trust, Vija Celmins, Chuck Close, Susan Collis, Robert Cottingham, Don Eddy, Esiri Erheriene-Essi, Bobbi Essers, Richard Estes, Audrey Flack, Ryan Gander, Franz Gertsch, Louise Giovanelli, Duane Hanson, Barkley L. Hendricks, Lieven Hendriks, Jean-Olivier Hucleux, John Kacere, Howard Kanovitz, Allison Katz, Edward Kienholz, Peter Klasen, Ron Kleemann, László Lakner, Lucy McKenzie, Richard McLean, Marilyn Minter, Jacques Monory, Malcolm Morley, Sylvia Plimack Mangold, Kaz Oshiro, Gerhard Richter, John Salt, Fernando Sánchez Castillo, Ben Schonzeit, Joan Semmel, Idelle Weber, Kehinde Wiley, Issy Wood and Alida Ymele.

Esmee Postma, curator of In Focus: ‘The core of the exhibition is the Centraal Museum's unique collection of American Photorealism, but we are taking a critical look at the canon and expanding it with hyperrealistic works by women and artists of colour. The much sought-after artists Allison Katz and Esiri Erheriene-Essi have created new works specially for the exhibition that reflect on the position of Photorealism today.'

Marilyn Minter, Cheshire (Wangechi), 2011 152,5 x 243,5 cm Kunsthaus Zürich, Vereinigung Zürcher Kunstfreunde, 2013, courtesy of the artist and Salon 94

Joan Semmel, Secret Spaces, 1976 177 x 173 cm Artist Copyright, Tate, London, presented by David and Maria Wilkinson (Tate Americas Foundation) 2016, accessioned 2021 Photo: Tate

Jhonie van Boeijen, Girls Night, 2021 100 x 135 cm © Jhonie van Boeijen

John Kacere, Torso (Marsha), 1972 196,5 x 174,5 cm Collectie Centraal Museum, Utrecht © Centraal Museum Utrecht/John Kacere, courtesy of Louis K. Meisel Gallery

In Focus: A Closer Look at Photorealism is on view at Centraal Museum until 9 June 2024.