From February 12 to March 31, 2022, a group of 10×10 artists will exhibit in Café Eijlders in Amsterdam. The theme is ROOD (red). The participating artists are: Edith Brouwer, Inge van den Hoven, Wanda Janota, Maartje Jaquet, Judith Koning, Daria Lavrova, Linda Meulenhoff, Herman Schouwenburg and Erik Timmermans. All art works have been especially framed by Marlies Veldman from Lijst’M.
Eijlders is the café where my good friend, poet, artist, performer, Ronald M. Offerman (aka Ron), worked behind the bar and has performed his poetry many times, as Eijlders is also well known for its poetry readings and art shows. Ron died on May 12, 2020, from the effects of Covid-19. When Atelier Open invited me to make art for an exhibition, in this very café, I didn’t hesitate for a second about what I was going to make. It had to be a portrait of Ron, reading one of his poems he created to my photography (of which I also made two books, in 2021, to commemorate him: De stad is de kunst and Iepenstad (both still available, see ‘books’ on this website).

When Atelier Open told me there was room for a second art work, it felt only right to me to make a portrait in honor of poet Tonny M. Hollanders, who, sadly, also died of Covid-19 in the same year as Ron, on November 2nd 2020.

Both portraits are on the wall opposite the bar. I imagine Ron looking over to them while he is pouring some imaginary drinks in peoples glasses, with a smile on his face. Tonny maybe sitting on one of the chairs, enjoying the ambience, listening to the poetry reading, tomorrow, February 20th, by her friend Jos van Hest, organized by Eijlders Dichters (poets). And on March 5th, when Atelier Open organizes an opening / get together, we will be feeling their spirits and drink to their memories. Time: 17:00 – 18:30.

Café Eijlders
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 47
1017 PW Amsterdam
020 624 2704