An exhibition can’t be more ironic than this one: the contemporary Dutch artist Rob Scholte shows his embroidery collection in Museum De Fundatie. However, Embroidery Show may have tongue-in-cheek-characteristics, its underlying idea is absolutely serious.
In the previous century, pastors and other positive thinkers used these examples of feminine home craft in sermons and other pep talks: “Our life is like the hidden side of a piece of embroidery. We often do not understand its meaning. Our existence seems so to be aimless and disorientated. But one day we’ll see the right side and then we will experience life in all its perfection!” Rob Scholte is interested in the fringes and the loose ends of rear sides. He has a keen eye for things that remain hidden for others: a swimming pool without water, the inside of a puppet theatre and the back of a magician’s table. Now the artist has thrown himself into embroidery works.
In 1995 Scholte left the Netherlands after a turbulent era that culminated into a bomb attack in which he lost both his legs. In 2005 the artist returned to his native country. In this drifitng society, Scholte looked for artistic havens. He stumbled upon the least hip art form he could possibly find: old fashioned embroidery works. These pieces were sold in large amounts in thrift shops and at car boot sales.
“I refuse to believe that people in my country look down on traditional, hand-made embroideries. These works have been stitched by mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers in their spare time with so much love and patience. Now their heirs sell the result of weeks, months and years of hard labour for a few euros only. What will replace them? Ikea art!,” Scholte states indignantly.
Many of these embroideries were derived from important works of art by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh, Fragonard and Millet. Apparently designers were impressed by these examples and this was their way of seeing such an image with their own eyes. Embroidery was also an effective way to find your peace of mind. In our days we try to unwind by coloring books for adults. So, it is not a far-fetched idea to restore the old-fashioned embroidery craft.
Scholte’s Embroidery Show is a success; the exhibition attracts large audiences. Many embroideries resemble each other because they are simplified versions of their well-known originals. It has been an excellent idea of Scholte to exhibit them in this manner. Every piece of embroidery, even if it has the same origin as another one, has its own characteristics; thick knots, visible unwillingness to fasten off properly and sparse use of materials give all these images their own uniqueness and sometimes even mystery. The front sides are so kitschy that they hurt your eyes, but the framed rear sides change them into real art works. Scholte put his signature on the former front side, which has now become the back and that has increased the value of these works significantly. Let’s hope that the heirs, who had thrown away the result of this diligent work, won’t show up to claim Grandma’s masterpiece.
You get the impression that Rob Scholte, like his American colleague Jeff Koons, longs for the certainty and warmth that we have lost in our stressed society. Studying the innocent mountain scenes, the crying gypsy boys, the peaceful still lifes and the folded praying hands, any cynicism disappears and you start to crave for the peace and the patient dedication of all the anonymous artists.
Embroidery Show is a logical step in Scholte’s career. His leitmotiv is to show well-known images in a new context to change their meaning. This can be a painted family game, a copyrighted self-portrait, the Philips logo in the Nightlight painting, crucifixes in a bottle, marbles in a frame or a giant mural in the replica of Dutch Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch which was reconstructed in Japan.
Embroidery Show is a really intriguing exhibition. The rear sides of the embroideries reconcile you with the human existence. The fringes and the loose ends give colour and meaning to life. Please, don’t turn them around.
Museum De Fundatie, Zwolle / Catalogue Waanders & De Kunst