College: Art and identity: Three contemporary icons in pictures

What: 3 lectures on 9, 16 & 23 January 2026, 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Cultural visit: art initiative VHDG - 27 January 2026 (afternoon, exact time to follow) VHDG is an art initiative is in Leeuwarden that focuses on experimentation and talent development in contemporary art. Home | VHDG

Where: Dorpskerk Huizum, Huizum Dorp 67, Leeuwarden
Speakers: Krzysztof Dobrowolski-Onclin & Wouter Maas

How do artists shape identity, power and society? In this series of lectures, we dive into the work of three striking contemporary artists: Paula Rego, Grayson Perry and Yayoi Kusama. Each of them comments on the world around them with their very own visual language. They do not shy away from confrontation, play with gender, tradition, fantasy and social themes, and show how art can be a mirror, sometimes literally. 

College 1: 9 January 2026 | 19:30 - 20:30 | Dorpskerk Huizum

Paula Rego - Fairy tales with sharp teeth 

This first lecture focuses on the work of Paula Rego (1935-2022). In Portugal, where she came from and in the UK, where she lived, Paula Rego (1935-2022) was not an unknown name. That is putting it mildly. With commissions for the Portuguese government and the National Gallery in London, Paula Rego's art can be found not only in many museums but also in public spaces. 

College 2: 16 January 2026 | 19:30 - 20:30 | Dorpskerk Huizum

Grayson Perry - Taste is something to be argued about 

If you do not yet know Grayson Perry (1960), change that. For he is one of today's best-loved British artists. Originally a ceramicist, he also designs huge, narrative tapestries, makes documentaries and writes books. In the Netherlands, he is becoming increasingly well-known, especially since he was awarded the Erasmus Prize in 2021.  

College 3: 23 January 2025 | 19:30 - 20:30 | Dorpskerk Huizum

Yayoi Kusama - Infinite and untouchable

Yayoi Kusama (1929) is hip, hot and happening. She has more than 403,000 followers on Instagram. Most other people on the platform could take a punt on that. The Japanese artist's appeal is immediately apparent on her page: bright, cheerful colours, organic structures that are more grown than made, lighting effects and a mirror here and there (or many), so that the viewer becomes part of the artwork themselves. 

College 4: Tuesday afternoon 27 January 2026, visit to VHDG. 

About the speakers: 

Krzysztof Dobrowolski-Onclin graduated cum laude in art history and French literature, having studied at the universities of Amsterdam, Paris and Krakow. Since 2006, he has been giving courses and lectures on art history without limiting himself to any specialism or subject. He was a volunteer at COC Amsterdam for 26 years and was appointed Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2019. 

When does it take place:

Every week

Friday, 19:30-20:30

09 January 2026 - 27 January 2026

Costs:

Yes, 40

Sign up:

Using the form below

Otherwise: apply via our website: https://generatiehuis.nl/college/kunst-en-identiteit-drie-hede...