Zwartheid Onder Ogen Komen / Facing Blackness: Dutch Perceptions, Black Identity, and Resistance through Art and Archives

This multimedia exhibition delves into the underrepresented history of Dutch perceptions of Black people from the colonial era to the present. It showcases resistance against racism and how Black individuals have shaped their culture and identity.

The exhibition 'Zwartheid Onder Ogen Komen' ('Facing Blackness') critically examines the historical and ongoing discourse surrounding the representation of Black people in the Netherlands. It highlights a long, often suppressed, history of colonial stereotyping and the persistent resistance against it. Through a rich collection of archival materials from The Black Archives, other institutions, private collections, and visual art, the exhibition reveals how colonial imagery became embedded in the Dutch 'cultural archive' and influenced everyday perceptions and traditions. Simultaneously, it underscores the continuous struggle against various forms of racism and the active role Black individuals have played, and continue to play, in defining their own culture and identity. Artists Gloria Holwerda, Jaasir Linger, Lydienne Albertoe, and Sherida Kuffour contributed to this exhibition after months of research and creative reflection on its themes. For instance, Albertoe's investigation into the visual representation of Black people in comic books was translated into an installation, supported by Het Zuidelijk Toneel (HZT), which aims to highlight projects focusing on the African diaspora. The exhibition was open to the public from April 2 to December 23, 2022, on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Regular tickets cost €15. Student or Senior (65+) tickets are available. Stadspas holders receive free entry. For those with financial difficulties, a limited number of support tickets are available by emailing [email protected] A ticket grants access to both 'Zwartheid Onder Ogen Zien' and '100 Jaar Surinamers in Nederland' exhibitions.