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Saudade: An Intersection of Archives and Art
2019-04-29 | By Anuja Tipnis-Randive
Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Expatriate Archive Centre (EAC) in The Hague, Saudade: An Intersection of Archives and Art showcases ten unusual but phenomenal works from ten international artists. The works, encased into a suitcase, are being exhibited at the Expatriate Archive Centre and across the Netherlands.
Why Saudade?
Saudade, a Portuguese word referring to a melancholic longing or yearning, is the perfect word to describe this project. Archive Centre founders Dewey White, Glenda Lewin and Judy Moody-Stuart explain how the exhibition Saudade came into existence and this book documents the artists’ experiences working on their respective pieces. For an expat, the book is an excellent medium connecting a love of art with remembrances from native countries. Saudade: An Intersection of Archives and Art, divided into five major sections, documents how the Expatriate Archive Centre united with artists and art from across the world.
The artwork
The first section opens with photographs of the artists’ phenomenal artwork, each beautiful and unique in its own way. Later on, the artists outline the creation process for each piece, here each artwork simply appears in all its glory. Be it the “Olifantenstapel” (A pile of elephants) by Thomas Nondh Jansen–different- sized toy elephants stacked together–or “Required Field” by Natalie McIlroy, concerning the significance of the missing puzzle piece, each composition is intriguing, prolific, creative and enchanting.
The Globetrotter
The second section, one of the book’s highlights, is the fascinating story of the suitcase, a brown Globetrotter brand that has travelled throughout decades, through many countries including Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, with its owner Judy Moody-Stuart, before settling down as a repository for these 10 artworks. Curator Natalie McIlroy describes the suitcase in beautiful poetry, a real emotional ride, bringing a personal attachment to the Globetrotter and its contents.
The artists
An archive, while a fabulous collection of historically important pieces, is equally an enriching resource for research and education. The third section of the book outlines the artists’ engagement with archival remnants, sharing their nostalgic experiences, and connecting with their own memories. This ection beautifully describes how archives play an important role for expats to connect with their memories, transporting them to times that have left a permanent imprint on their hearts.
Inspiration
In the fifth part of the book, the artists explain their thoughts and the development of each piece, from initial idea, through the process of pouring their heart and soul into converting it for the collection. The book concludes with photographs of the original archival collections that were used to create the artwork for Saudade.
This book provides a valuable record of how the Saudade artists worked with a variety of media, including porcelain, gold, rubber, wood, oil and acrylic paints, photography, textiles, and printing. Each artwork represents personal interactions with the letters, photographs, diaries, children’s drawings, and other materials in the EAC’s collection. It is a remarkable testament to a remarkable collection.
About the exhibition
The Saudade has been to the Boekhandel Domenicanen in Maastricht, and most recently at an event in the Koninklijke Bibliotheek in The Hague. It will continue its travels in 2019.
More information about Saudade, the artists, their project experiences, and the EAC can be found at eacanniversary.com, where the book is also available for purchase. Details about where to see the exhibition in 2019 can also be found on the site.
Saudade: An Intersection of Archives and Art
by Expatriate Archive Centre
Published by Expatriate Archive Centre | ISBN: 978-90-9030842-5
About the Author
Anuja Tipnis-Randive is a freelance writer and blogger. You can follow her writings on wordsandimaginations.wordpress.com. One of her favourite and inspirational pieces of Dutch art is Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh.
