Program

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15-18 May

a condition of the aftermath -to blend to see to shape

What happens when four graduates meet almost a year after _the end of the beginning_ ? through “to blend, to see, to shape ” dariya trubina, Sophie Dandanell, Marie Willfort and Luis Weber decided to collectively revisit and re-contextualise their graduation pieces. From materials used, themes explored and texts written, the exhibition is a moment of looking and listening closely. Reconvening at Vrij Paleis, the four will explore how to blend, to see, to shape the resonance of their work(s).

Opening Thursday 15th, 18-22h; opening performance 19h
Fri-Sun 12-17h
 

24-05/01-06

Here and Now 2025

Here and Now is the fourth edition of an international group art exhibition organized by Chinny Bond and Tony van Amsterdam. This exhibition will be showcasing artists that current excel in their respective fields. This art show will provide an insightful and inspiring experience with works of the most renowned artists of our time but also exciting and unexpected “up and coming” names in the art world.

Open daily from 12:00 to 20:00 .

9-11 May

Pequeñas Muertes

WHAT Do WOMEN HOLD?

The memories
And the troubles
The sorrows
And the triumphs
The Love

..a fragment of Maira Kalman’s poem to accompany the series of paintings ‘Pequeñas Muertes’ – a show in honor to women. A look through the fascination of the painter, the experiences and decisions to come up with this subject, which is not only about portraying a person, there are more aspects involved to discover in these compositions;
Why are those hands out of proportion?
The walls behind the models seems to be alive!
The symbolism that surround these depictions.

OPENING:
Friday 9th: 19:00-22:00

Opening hours:
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th: 15:00-19:00

18-21 april

Salon Smit & Soetekouw

We are an independent collective organizing accessible exhibitions—short-lived events where artists get a platform, connect, and spark conversations about art and creation.

Non-profit & accessible – Artists contribute to costs but keep full control over sales (no commission!).

Direct contact – Buy art without gallery intermediaries

OPENING friday 18 April 17u-21u

friday 18 april – (17u – 21u) Saturday 19 april (12u – 17u) Easter sunday 20 april (12u – 17u) easter Monday 21 april (12 – 17u )

 

04-06 april

VRIJ PALEIS OPEN

Vrij Paleis OPEN is returning in April with a new edition! Join us on the weekend of 04- 06 April and explore the diversity of artists in Amsterdam.

Opening:
Friday, 04.04: 17:00-21:00

Saturday, 05.04: 12:00-21:00
Sunday, 06.04: 12:00-19:00

See you there!

 

03-04

LOST PHASE 2 MURAL RESTORED AND REVEALED IN AMSTERDAM

LOST PHASE 2 MURAL RESTORED AND REVEALED IN AMSTERDAM 

A long-lost mural by the legendary artist PHASE 2, a pioneer in graffiti and hip-hop culture, has been restored and will be unveiled on April 3, 2025 at Vrij Paleis, Amsterdam.

PHASE 2 (New York,1955-2019) was a pioneering American stylewriter, also known as
the inventor of the ‘bubble letter’. He began tagging subway trains during the early 1970s, and later became a founding member of United Graffiti Artists. As graffiti culture took off during the late seventies, he also was a key figure in spreading the growing hip-hop scene from the Bronx to Manhattan. Nowadays PHASE 2 is recognized as one of the most influential founders of modern graffiti.

ANTI-MUSEUM

In 1992 Jan Muller, curator of Galerie K.I.S. (today Vrij Paleis) and legendary New York gallery owner Hugo Martinez organized ‘ANTI-MUSEUM’. A group exhibition of New York underground graffiti pioneers, who were not invited to participate at the Groninger Museum’s retrospective exhibition “Coming From The Subway”, that took place at the same time. ‘ANTI-MUSEUM’ showed works of AMRL, COCO 144, FLINT 707, MICO, PHASE 2, PISTOL, SNAKE and STITCH. All of them paved the road for the artists shown at the Groninger Museum. The artworks were executed in Amsterdam and the opening took place on September 5th, 1992.

 

white paint

PHASE 2 was the only writer who painted a mural inside the gallery. This masterpiece defined the gallery’s image for years. It was eventually painted over with white paint, seemingly lost forever. 

only three existing PHASE 2 murals in the world

The good news: the PHASE 2 mural is back and looks great! A year ago, Kees Kamper, author of ‘AMSTERDAM STREET ART’, tied forces with the municipality of Amsterdam, the artists of Vrij Paleis and graffiti artist-curator Mick La Rock to restore and preserve
this gem in the center of Amsterdam. With only three known PHASE 2 murals existing worldwide, this restoration is of epic cultural significance.

Antonio Rava 

With the financial generosity of the municipality of Amsterdam ‘Programma Aanpak Binnenstad’, the initiators were able to invite Antonio Rava. Rava is a renowned Italian master art conservator, who previously restored the Amsterdam Keith Haring mural. Together with his sons, he carefully removed the white paint layers and restored this masterpiece.

Join us at the unveiling of this remarkable piece of cultural heritage.
Thursday April 3, 6:00 pm at Vrij Paleis and be a part of graffiti history.
Conservator Antonio Rava is also present.

20-27 February

Interwoven: A Dutch-Ukrainian Contemporary Art Exhibition

20-27 February,
Weekdays: 15:00-21:00
Weekend: 12:00-21:00

OPENING: 20 February, 19:00-22:00

“Interwoven” is group exhibition showcasing Dutch and Ukrainian contemporary art, which explores physical and emotional connection between people and cultures.
Featuring works by 14 talented artists, Interwoven reflects on universal human experiences-navigating hardship, rebuilding identity, and finding hope in the face of displacement.

Through personal artworks and cross-cultural collaborations, “Interwoven” explores the enriching and challenging ties that bind people and cultures. It showcases a curated collection of thought-provoking pieces across various mediums, inviting visitors to contemplate the far-reaching impact of war and reflect on their own experiences of conflict, both on a global scale and within their own lives.

The exhibition is designed to create an immersive yet accessible atmosphere within three distinct areas of the space. Featuring wall displays, ceiling installations, freestanding pieces, and a dedicated audio-visual area with headsets, the exhibition offers a multi-sensory experience. Digital and physical maps, telling stories behind the art will be available for curious visitors on-site.

Program:

February 20: Official opening | tunes by yi collective |
February 21: Panel discussion: Decolonial Practices in Art
February 22-23: Guided tours
February 23: Lecture: Decade of the Contemporary Ukrainian Art 2014-2024
February 23: Workshop: Net weaving
February 24: Workshop: Net weaving
February 25-26: Guided tours
February 27: Closing event & film screening

 
 
 

You can see the past and upcoming events on our instagram page