Ego Portraitism

Maarten Reith, journalist

It has struck me before: I regularly see artists from Arnhem who choose the self-portrait as the main theme of their work. They are apparently so fascinated by their own faces, that they can find in them inexhaustible variation. They show the strength of this self-imposed limitation, which compels them to creativity, and which continues to surprise. At the 'O Fortuna' exhibition in The Valkhof Museum and CBK Nijmegen three self-portrait artists show their work: Levi van Veluw, Lique Schoot and Rosemin Hendriks. 

Is the similarity in their work a coincidence, or is this an 'Arnhem School?, a previously undocumented movement in contemporary art? I dare not say. 

It often happens in art history: a movement or style is sometimes recognized while ongoing, but more often it is only revealed with later examination. Decades may pass. Then, suddenly, an art historian discovers the link between the work of several artists because he happens to come across a certain similarity between them or wonders why certain artists exhibited together at the time. From a distance, over time, one can often see things more clearly than when the thing is right under one's nose. Only then can one discern whether it was a random ripple or a purposeful movement. So it's too soon to declare 'Ego Portraitism' an art movement in Arnhem. But it sounds nice. 

De Gelderlander, October 10, 2010