Ben Manusama

"As a journalist for a Daily newspaper and an inhabitant of the city of Ede, I have come to know Ben Manusama as one of the best artists I know. Ben Manusama is, in a sense, the dark horse of the Dutch art world. It says something, in fact: quite a lot, that he is active and valued as a partaker in the Hague circle of artists known as the Pulchri Studio. Ben Manusama combines a precise, almost medical feel for the heartbeat and feverish pulse of our image-and media-saturated times with the craftmanship, the artistic skill and drive to capture 'fast' and ostensibly modern images, e.g. newspaperclippings, newsphoto's etc., in a durable, moving, extra sensitive way, the way of a painting artist that enables us to look twice, or three times, and so doing enrich ourselves by a deeper understanding. Ben Manusama often leaves from a snapshot or a Polaroid-like photograph, to lift it to a higher, more durable level, at once fixating it in paint and surprising the viewer and art lover with his specific slight of hand: a masters' study of fast movement - in paint. His personal quest and comment on the news- and media-industry that dishes out images in bulk, is a point of meditation and reflection for me as a journalist. Ben's paintings never...

HKU University of the Arts Utrecht (1989/1990)

2016
'This Art Fair', Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam (29 december - 3 january)

2015
'This Art Fair', Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam (29 december - 3 january)
Groningen, Noord NNB
Ede, Cultura (april-may)
'Indisch DNA', CODA museum, Apeldoorn (9 november - 25 january)
'Indisch DNA', ACEC, Apeldoorn (17 december - 25 january)

2014
'Indisch DNA', CODA museum, Apeldoorn (9 november - 25 january)
'Indisch DNA', ACEC, Apeldoorn (17 december - 25 january)
'Parels van PEK', Cultura, Ede (6 oktober - 15 november)
Pulchri Studio, The Hague (september)
'In Geuren en Kleuren', Streekmuseum Krimpenerwaard, Krimpen a/d IJssel (january - march)

2013
'Caravans, Cars & Dogs', Gallery Vierbijvier, Vianen (24 mei - 30 juni)
'Nieuwe Leden Nieuwe Schreden', GBK, Arnhem (7 - 29 september)
'Feest der Herkenning', Huis Kernhem, Ede (24 augustusx- 8 september)
'Naked', Pulchri Studio, The Hague (23 november - 23 december)

2012
'Isaac Israels met DSK/ Kamermeisje' Pulchri Studio, The Hague (juni)
'Overzicht Indonesische en Indische beeldende kunst', Trade art gallery of Frans Welkenhuijzen i.s.m. De Blauwe Kamer, Utrecht (april - mei) (g)

2011
'Ledententoonstelling [Het Ambonezenbosje]', Pulchri Studio, The Hague (oktober 2011) ...