Jurriaan Benschop - Why Paintings Works?

Description

Building upon G.R.I.T.’s experiential learning around current (European) painting (via curated exhibition and discursive events) Jurriaan Benschop’s specific presentation provides distinctive cultural and societal knowledge between the research fields of making, a painters’ touch, and the reception of Contemporary Painting, relational aesthetics.  An international expert in dialogue gave deeper understanding into trends and the social contexts surrounding contemporary painting.  Giving accessibility to the somewhat ambiguous engagement of painting and its reception.  Serving and adding to quality education and sustainable artistic exchange for Dundee’s community and beyond. 

The event was generously supported by Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, The University of Dundee and the Performance Research Group at Manchester School of Art (Bunker Talks), Manchester Metropolitan University in partnership with G.R.I.T.  The collaboration enabled the development of Benschop’s former keynote at G.R.I.T. Berlin’s Painting Symposium (2024).  This meeting, a part of DJCAD’s Contemporary Art Practice Speakers Programme and G.R.I.T. Dundee.  Alex Roberts (G.R.I.T. Curator) introduced Benschop and supported audience (students + the public) Q&A extending the painting discussion.

Press top tipped (Tip Berlin & Scotland’s, The Courier), Gestural Reflective & Inquiring Tales (G.R.I.T.) - is centred around an exhibition of fourteen painters, which explores how gesture and its physicality engage both the maker and the viewer.  2024 presented at KUNSTPUNKT Berlin and Drawing Projects UK Dundee, inclusive of symposia, a public program and aiming to publication further discourse.  www.paintinggrit.com

Jurriaan Benschop is a Dutch writer and curator who is based in Athens and Berlin.  He is the author of Why Paintings Work (2023) and Salt in the Wound. Encountering Contemporary Artists across Europe (2019). His reviews and essays are published in Artforum International, The Brooklyn Rail, on Arterritory as well as in numerous exhibition catalogues and artist’s books. Benschop’s curated exhibitions and art school/university lecturing are listed: www.jurriaanbenschop.com