Jurriaan Benschop

Description

Building upon G.R.I.T.’s experiential learning around current (European) painting (via curated exhibition and discursive events) Jurriaan Benschop’s research on Contemporary Painting provided the content for a presentation about his latest book, Why Paintings Work (2023), and series or engaged teaching days with the students at DJCAD, The University of Dundee, and Dundee wider community. Serving and adding to quality education and sustainable artistic exchange for Dundee and international exchange beyond.

Involvement: a public, timetabled presentation at D’Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, The University of Dundee, and a two-day run of private tutorials for Contemporary Art Practice students, DJCAD. Further informal discursive research gatherings and networks transpired with members of the public travelling to Dundee to experience the talk i.e., a practicing painter from Deal, UK. Plus, meetings for DJCAD academic staff and community where facilitated by Alex Roberts. This included further requests for copies of Benschop’s book, Why Paintings Work (2023), and broadening of DJCAD’s research arrangements. E.g., in person, developmental dialogue surrounding G.R.I.T.’s dissemination and forming publication.

The funded collaboration proposed by DJCAD’s Alex Roberts, transpired between DJCAD, The University of Dundee and Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University in partnership with the exhibition, G.R.I.T. Enabling the development of Benschop’s former keynote at G.R.I.T. Berlin’s Painting Symposium (2024) to transcend to a UK knowledge share with Dundee at the centre.

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

Period	5 Mar 2025 → 7 Mar 2025
Degree of Recognition	International