Roel Van Der Linden and Martin Lukáč at De Vishal

Artists: Roel Van Der Linden and Martin Lukáč

Exhibition title: New York Denim 85

Venue: De Vishal, Haarlem, The Netherlands

Date: October 1 – 29, 2017

Photography: all images copyright and courtesy of the artists and De Vishal, Haarlem

‘Roel & Martin New York Denim 85’

The artists Van der Linden and Lukáč made a site specific installation in De Vishal, everything has been created on the spot during one week. The exhibition is done in the same way as they paint; intuitively, spunky and with the will to change their plan at any given moment so that what has to happen, can happen. They are like musicians on the road; jamming, playing, struggling, and having fun while creating an energetic and truthful show about their lives.

Annelien Kers

‘When we work together the process that normally happens inside one’s mind becomes a conversation between the two of us. It is important to give each other the freedom to fail and to experiment while at the same time it is needed to be totally honest about the quality of the outcome. In the end the work has to be the best it can be, no matter what. In the ideal situation we create something that can only be made by joining our forces.

We are commenting on our own practise, very often we are working alone in a studio, hidden away from the audience, only coming out to show works that are finished and already judged and approved by colleagues and gallerists. Making a show on the spot, taking a risk, trying things out and communicating directly with the audience is bringing an energy that is lacking in the studio. What you see in De Vishal is a tribute to our new found practise and maybe even more it is a tribute to what that practise can become. Why could painters not be like rockstars, travelling around and making art?’

Roel Van Der Linden