Robin Kolleman (Goethe Institut Rotterdam)

The Goethe Institut in Rotterdam has the pleasure to invite you to the exhibition of Robin Kolleman, from April 13 until May 11 2021.

Robin Kolleman is a nomadic artist whose most particular feature is to create art pieces with very economical means. The theme of nomadism has to be found not only in her artistical journey and in her manner of making art, but also in the topic Kolleman’s work has focused on for several years: the refugees who perish on Europe’s external borders. On the most brittle of all materials – thin paper – she burns with the riskiest technique – fire – large drawings that symbolize the fate of these vulnerable people. Based on this, she makes small multiples, of which 10% is devolved to the Stichting Vluchteling. With the words of Kolleman herself “I am now working on various series of burnt drawings in different formats in which I pay attention to the individual as well as to ‘the numbers’, but also to take a closer look at concepts such as ‘freedom’.”.

By visiting the webpage of her studio on kunstambassade.nl, the audience will be able to see four photos taken in different rooms: the artist stands in a characteristic pose with her back to the camera, with each photo taken in a different studio. Every room represents a new phase in her artistic work: using uniquely a handful of absolutely necessary tools, Kolleman moves into an empty studio for a while, and creates a series of works on site, making use of only one material at a time.