Three of a kind brings together a rich selection of paintings, drawings, collages, animated films and spatial works. Each artist receives individual attention, yet curator Rob Schoonen also sets out to trace the elusive “Van Iersel artistic gene.” What makes this Eindhoven family so remarkable? Where do their practices overlap, what affinities emerge, and at which moments does the work of one come close to that of another?

The exhibition includes a series of photographs by Cas van Laar portraying the artists in their studios.

Gerard van Iersel (1934) studied at the Kunstnijverheidsschool in Eindhoven and the Jan van Eyck Academie. Influenced by visual artist Albert Troost, he focused on monumental art: stained glass, wall reliefs, sculptures and concrete paintings. Many of his commissions were created for schools and public buildings. He also taught, including at St. Joost Academy. Alongside this, he made time for truly autonomous work: lyrical drawings and paintings in which emotion takes centre stage. Over the years, Gerard developed from geometric abstraction toward a lyrical abstract style reminiscent of Bram van Velde.

Rik van Iersel (1961) absorbed drawing and painting at home, from his father Gerard and his mother, visual artist Nathalie van den Eerenbeemt (1934–2010). As a result, he never felt the need to attend an art academy and is therefore self‑taught. Van Iersel developed both as a visual artist and as a musician. He began drumming in various bands, including Der Junge Hund, and founded the band Senga Etna, where he initiated collaborations with many young musicians. Buro Beukorkest emerged as a natural continuation of these activities.

In his early years he immersed himself in making comics and designed posters for the Eindhoven music venue De Effenaar for many years. He developed his own highly expressive, layered style, reminiscent of the Neue Wilden or Mühlheimer Freiheit, both German movements. At a young age Van Iersel was already exhibiting in renowned galleries in the Netherlands and abroad. Later he began making animated films and worked as a guest lecturer in, among other places, Germany. He exhibited at TAC, where he was also active as a curator.

Joshua van Iersel (1986) also grew up with art all around him — hardly surprising with a father, grandfather and grandmother who were all artists. Joshua, too, developed as an autodidact. He vividly remembers the African masks his parents collected, which made a deep impression on him. These forms still echo in his drawings and paintings today. Heads and faces recur throughout his work, which — also due to its kinship with comics and graffiti — can be placed within neo‑expressionism. Names such as Jean‑Michel Basquiat or David Salle come to mind. Like Rik, Joshua also developed as a musician, and he too plays drums.

Satellite presentation:  
Alongside the exhibition at Pennings Foundation, a satellite presentation will take place at Salon Veneman, just down the Geldropseweg at the corner of Tongelresestraat. Open every Saturday during the exhibition period from 12:00 to 17:00. www.salonveneman.com