Three of a kind

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) grew up surrounded by drawing and painting, taught by his father Gerard and his mother, visual artist Nathalie van den Eerenbeemt (1934–2010). He therefore felt no need to attend an art academy and is entirely self‑taught. Rik developed both as a visual artist and as a musician. He founded the renowned Buro Beukorkest, in which he plays drums, as well as the band Der Junge Hund. During those same years he immersed himself in making comics and designed posters for the Eindhoven music venue De Effenaar for many years. He developed a highly expressive, layered style reminiscent of the Neue Wilden or Mühlheimer Freiheit, both German movements. At a young age, Van Iersel exhibited in renowned galleries in the Netherlands and abroad. Later he began making animated films and worked as a guest lecturer in Germany, among other places.

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