‘Abandoned’ duo exhibition
"Abandoned" is a duo exhibition, featuring two dutch artists,Robert and Reen (Ireen), who are married coupe for almost 30 years.
Date: 11/19/2023 - 11/29/2023
Opening reception: 11/19/2023 4:30 pm - 6:00pm
Location: 36 W 44th St, Suite 707 A
Organizer: Superb Gallery of Art NYC
Artists:
Robert van Rijn
Reen Sanderse
Producer/Curator: Shirong Gu
Design Director: Shirong Gu
Participating Artists:
Robert van Rijn, After completing his studies at the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague from 1988 to 1992, Robert established a studio for advertising photography with two fellow students. Initially, he contributed to various newspapers. In recent years, his focus shifted to self-initiated photo projects, particularly in landscape photography. Featured here are images capturing a parking garage beneath an apartment complex, situated 150 meters from the North Sea, with the building approximately 3 meters below sea level. Given the ongoing rise in sea levels, there's a possibility that this garage, currently abandoned, might eventually become a habitat for marine animals.
Reen Sanderse, a talented artist from the Netherlands, employs a unique technique blending photography, digital art, light effects, and drawing. Her artworks are captivating, combining digital light art with emotion and mysticism, showcasing exceptional technical and artistic precision. What distinguishes Reen as an artist is her ability to harness her fears and nightmares, using them as a source of inspiration. Rather than being traumatized, she transforms these experiences into remarkable pieces, showcasing the transformative power of art in making sense of the world. Reen's art has garnered recognition and admiration from both art enthusiasts and critics. Her works have been exhibited at numerous galleries and exhibitions throughout Europe. With her distinctive approach and unwavering dedication, she emerges as a visionary in the realm of contemporary art.
Robert and Reen (Ireen), more than a love story
Reen(left) and Robert(right) in 1995
“It was December 31, 1995, bitterly cold, raining ice water. They were both, independently of each other, invited to a New Years Eve party.
They later said that when they entered the banquet hall, they immediately felt a strong attraction, although it took until well after midnight before they had the courage to get to know each other. It was love at first sight, and in 2023 they are still crazy about each other.
Reen(left) and Robert(right) in 2023
The first two years of their relationship they explored each other's world, their creativity, Robert as a professional photographer and Reen as a visual artist, they became each other's muse. After they built their own house with photo studio, studio and gallery in 1998/1999.
9/11 2001 came as a shock that also turned their lives upside down. They watched in shock as, under President Bush, the Afghans were targeted in response to the events of 9/11. Reen was looking for a way out of the confusing emotions, she wanted to make a statement, and thought: “It is always the artists who want to shake up the world, and so I am an artist... she presented her idea to Robert, he was there for it. to shape and exhibit in the first weekend of November that year, they only had 6 weeks to realize “The woman behind the chador”. It became their first collaboration. They completely complemented each other, only half a word was enough and encouraged each other to great heights, the installation was a great success and was subsequently exhibited twice more.
In 2003 they traveled through France, Spain and Portugal, after which they developed the 'PilgrimRage' project. To this end, they visited pilgrimage sites in Europe and India until 2015, together they made the following installations: 'Leauc 'est la Vie', 'Hartstocht' and The well (Reen) and exhibited their work.
In 2003/2004 they traveled to India for the first time, Reen's daughter went to live there, they have now visited that country 8 times, India was also a great source of inspiration for both of them.
In 2009, 2010 and 2011, together with friends, they organized 'The art route of the bulb region' with 100 participating artists, exhibitions in churches and galleries, 2 art markets, live performances, etc.
In 2013 they moved to a small village in the south of the country. Here too they started a gallery 'Kunstkabinet de 'Oude Winkel', a photo studio and a studio. Robert started the 'New Landscape' Project, 'Abandoned' and the current series Coasts of Europe. Reen stopped working at the gallery and painting on canvas in 2020. She developed a new technique to express herself 'Mixed media digital light art'.
In 2023, Robert and Reen are both working on recording their work in a book. Reen with 'Innocent, the autobiography' release 2024 and Robert with his coastal photography, release 2024. “Superb Gallery of Art, NYC”
Reen has been exhibiting in many national and international offline and online exhibitions since 2011 and has built up an enormous network. That is why she was invited for a solo exhibition in “The Superb Gallery of Art”, 'Curdled memories', in early 2023. Robert and Reen traveled to New York and met many art lovers and artists there, but the meeting with Shirong Gu was very special. They kept in touch via the internet and WhatsApp, phone calls that sometimes lasted an hour, during which Reen often had to shout 'dinner time' to finally be able to continue with her activities. Shirong invited her to participate in a group exhibition “Schematic curve” with other 4 artists from June 3 to 13 and for this duo exhibition “Abandoned” from November 19 to 29.”
- Reen
