The Embassy of the Free Mind presents 'Silence is Compliance,' an exhibition revealing banned publications from the Second World War. Discover Wilma Schuhmacher's collection of clandestine literature alongside Susan Zadeh's photographic series, both honoring the enduring fight for freedom of expression.
Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Silence is Compliance: An Ode to Wilma Schuhmacher, with Photos by Susan Zadeh at Embassy of the Free Mind in Amsterdam
This exhibition showcases banned publications that circulated in secret during the Second World War, serving as silent acts of protest. Featuring works from the collection of antiquarian bookseller Wilma Schuhmacher, it highlights her lifelong dedication to the freedom of the written word. The display includes books, poems, and pamphlets secretly produced and distributed during the German occupation.
The exhibition 'Silence is Compliance' presents a significant collection of clandestine printed matter from the Second World War, originally circulated among small, trusted circles as silent acts of protest against occupying forces. These forbidden publications, including books, poems, and pamphlets secretly produced and distributed during the German occupation, are displayed in the Grote Sael. The collection originates from Wilma Schuhmacher (1927–2025), an antiquarian bookseller who dedicated her life to the freedom of the written word and recently donated her extensive collection to the Embassy of the Free Mind. Schuhmacher, who joined the resistance at sixteen, lived by the conviction that "Those who do nothing are guilty," a principle that guided her life and her passion for preserving these critical historical documents. Complementing the historical texts, the exhibition features "Between the Shelves, She Remains," a photo series by Susan Zadeh. Documenting Schuhmacher's dismantled bookshop in 2025, Zadeh's images evoke a palpable sense of presence and the enduring spirit of the bookseller, even after her passing. The accompanying catalogue includes contributions on Schuhmacher, photography by Zadeh and Emmy Andriesse, and an essay on clandestine publishing, further contextualizing this powerful testament to resistance through literature.
The catalogue accompanying the exhibition is free for visitors under 18 on May 5th. Otherwise, the catalogue costs €10 in the museum shop. General admission details are not provided on this page.
Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Silence is Compliance: An Ode to Wilma Schuhmacher, with Photos by Susan Zadeh at Embassy of the Free Mind in Amsterdam
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