News — Feb 22, 2023

Overview of multitalent Felix de Rooy

Sa 22 Apr 2023 to Sun 3 Sep 2023

Felix de Rooy and Kirk Claes, 'Madonna', 2012. Courtesy of the artists. Statue of Madonna holding a smaller figure, the background consists of white trees and a red-orange gradient, with dark blue shapes at the bottom of the image.
Felix de Rooy and Kirk Claes, 'Madonna', 2012. Courtesy of the artists.
Felix de Rooy, 'Rebirth', 1985, on loan from Stevens Sikkens, Amsterdam. Courtesy of the artist. An alien-like figure holding a baby hovers over an abstract landscape made of strange shapes consisting of mouths, skulls, snakes, and other abstract shapes.
Felix de Rooy, 'Rebirth', 1985, on loan from Stevens Sikkens, Amsterdam. Courtesy of the artist.

On 22 April 2023, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam opens the exhibition Felix de Rooy - Apocalypse featuring the multidisciplinary and experimental oeuvre of Felix de Rooy (Curaçao, 1952). His visual work ranges from paintings, works on paper, and assemblages, to (digital) collages and wall hangings. His artistic practice also spans theatre performances, films, exhibitions and collections. Far ahead of his time, De Rooy explored topics that remain relevant today, such as the continuing negative legacy of colonialism, everyday racism and the meaning of Afro-Caribbean and queer identities in art.

Felix de Rooy has worked in the Netherlands since 1969 and has lived in Amsterdam since 1982. The exhibition reflects on five decades of artistic practice and is the first retrospective of the artist in a museum of fine arts.

Felix de Rooy, 'Icarus', 2008. Courtesy of the artist. The image shows a bright yellow-orange coloured figure flying through the sky, presumed to be Icarus, against a dark background.
Felix de Rooy, 'Icarus', 2008. Courtesy of the artist.

Everything in De Rooy's universe is connected. Fuelled by a profound interest in beauty and love, the artist blends imagery and stories from diverse times, cultures, religions and geographies in images that sometimes verge on the magical and surreal. Drawing on his transhistorical vision and cosmopolitan approach, the artist explores the concept of ‘cross culture’ and ‘cross time’. He transcends differences by highlighting things we all deal with—inner turmoil, mortality, and the longing for sexual and romantic fulfilment.

Throughout his career, De Rooy has worked extensively with other creators, including artists, authors, actors and producers. His longest-running collaboration is with writer and actor Norman de Palm. Since 1977, through the production company Cosmic Illusion, the duo has produced countless plays and films, such as Desiree (1981), Lippenschrift (1984), Almacita di Desolato (1986), Ava & Gabriel (1990, which was awarded a Golden Calf), 4D for Thee (1995) and De kleur van Droes (2004). Also featured in the presentation are work by De Rooy’s artist friends, such as Cliff San A Jong and Armand Baag, from his own collection and that of the Stedelijk.

Poster 'Ava & Gabriel', 1990, painting Nando Faneyter, design Felix de Rooy. Courtesy of the artist. The painted image shows two pictures of Ava and Gabriel laying on a dark orange/brown surface. In between the photos sits a green salamander.
Poster 'Ava & Gabriel', 1990, painting Nando Faneyter, design Felix de Rooy. Courtesy of the artist.
Poster 'Desiree', 1981, design Felix de Rooy. Courtesy of the artist. A black and white image showing the protagonist, Desiree, holding an object and pointing at something with a stern look.
Poster 'Desiree', 1981, design Felix de Rooy. Courtesy of the artist.

The exhibition also highlights De Rooy's work as a curator and his ‘black interest’ collection, which featured prominently in the important exhibition Wit over Zwart (1989) in the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam. De Rooy’s work as an artist, theatre maker, film director, curator, collector, observer and social critic, has been of enormous significance to several generations. In 2000 he was named a Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau and was presented with the Black Achievement Award for a lifetime of artistic accomplishments. In 2023, De Rooy is augurated as member of the Akademie van Kunsten.

Rein Wolfs, director Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam: “We are proud to present an overview of the impressive career of 'homo universalis' Felix de Rooy. He switches fluidly between multiple media and art disciplines and is active as an artist, director, theatre maker, curator and collector. The Stedelijk is working on the first exhibition that will explore and highlight the various domains in which the artist works . We hope that this overview does justice to his rich body of work and inspires future generations of artists and makers.”

 

Felix de Rooy, 'Ave Regina Europa', 1989. Courtesy of the artist. A large wooden statue decorated by symbols, motifs and gold accents on the bottom and top. On top sits ablack woman with short, curly hair wearing a blindfold.
Felix de Rooy, 'Ave Regina Europa', 1989. Courtesy of the artist.
Felix de Rooy and Mieke Soemodihardjo, 'Shaman's Dream', 2008, on loan from Garden of Eden Thai Restaurant-Paramaribo. Courtesy of the artists. A tapestry of a purple, orange, and yellow coloured man. there are various animals and plants shown.
Felix de Rooy and Mieke Soemodihardjo, 'Shaman's Dream', 2008, on loan from Garden of Eden Thai Restaurant-Paramaribo. Courtesy of the artists.

PUBLIC PROGRAM
The Public Program offers a deep-dive into the exhibition Felix de Rooy – Apocalypse. Every Saturday afternoon, there are introductory lectures to help visitors prepare for their visit to the exhibition. The free audio tour, which is partially voiced by the artist, delves into the artist's life and focuses on a number of works. The Meet the Master event puts the artist in the spotlight with various speakers and performers who were inspired by the artist. The exhibition also features a Gallery Talk as part of Keti Koti, Dia di Lucha par Liberdad, the annual celebration marking the abolition of slavery in Suriname 150 years ago.

The Stedelijk has also developed several activities in collaboration with diverse partners. Eye Filmmuseum will be screening a number of films directed by De Rooy, such as Desiree, Almacita di desolate and Ava & Gabriel. During the event Eye on Art, various speakers will discuss the connection between film and (other) art forms. Eye will also host a conversation on spirituality in Curaçao films with photographer and filmmaker Kevin Osepa. The Stedelijk's Blikopeners are organising a series of 'Archive Sessions' in collaboration with The Black Archives. Using objects from De Rooy's 'black interest' collection, they will talk about the meaning and importance of archiving. More information on all programming will be available on the website soon.

POSTERS
Complementary to the exhibition, the Stedelijk Museum is developing an artist publication consisting of three posters with previously unpublished archival material, including production photos of theatrical plays and announcements from the artist's body of work. The design will be handled by Jeanine van Berkel.

NOTE FOR EDITORS 

PRESS PREVIEW
On Thursday 20 April at 10 am, the Stedelijk Museum will host a press preview with an introduction by director Rein Wolfs, head of research and curatorial practice Charl Landvreugd and curator Claire van Els. If you’d like to attend, please contact pressoffice@stedelijk.nl mentioning press preview Felix de Rooy in the subject line.

The exhibition Felix de Rooy – Apocalypse was made possible in part thanks to the generous contribution of the Mondriaan Fund.