Ronald Ophuis on Fictional Testimony and Empathy in Violent Paintings
Ronald Ophuis, a Dutch artist, is known for his expansive canvases that portray brutal historical incidents, such as the Srebrenica massacre and the plight of child soldiers in Liberia, utilizing actors and staged photography. His latest exhibition, featuring the artwork Birkenau II, is on display at Galerie Eva Hober in Paris until May 7 as part of "Sic Transit Gloria Mundi." Ophuis examines the viewer's relationship with these reconstructed visuals, positing that art evokes emotions and fosters connections with both victims and aggressors. He likens this to childhood play and shared false memories. His creative process includes thorough research, site explorations, and directing actors. Born in 1968 in Hengelo, Netherlands, he resides in Amsterdam, with recent solo shows at Aeroplastics Contemporary and Upstream Gallery.
Key facts
- Ronald Ophuis paints violent historical events using staged photography and actors.
- His painting Birkenau II is on view at Galerie Eva Hober, Paris until May 7.
- The exhibition is titled Sic Transit Gloria Mundi.
- Ophuis conducts research including site visits and survivor interviews.
- He argues art creates empathy better than journalism.
- He cites the 1992 Bijlmermeer plane crash as an example of collective false memory.
- Postwar testimonies of Dr. Mengele in camps where he never was illustrate fictional testimony.
- A monograph on Ophuis by Ernst van Alphen was published in 2008 by JRP/Ringier.
Entities
Artists
- Ronald Ophuis
- Ernst van Alphen
Institutions
- Galerie Eva Hober
- Aeroplastics Contemporary
- Rodolphe Janssen Gallery
- Museum Jan Cunen
- Upstream Gallery
- JRP/Ringier
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Hengelo
- Brussels
- Belgium
- Oss
- Srebrenica
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Beslan
- Russia
- Liberia
- Bijlmermeer
Sources
- artpress —