Art Depot: The Selection of Stichting Promotie Limburgse Kunstenaars

The board’s selection

The board of Stichting Promotie Limburgse Kunstenaars talks about its selection and the stories behind the chosen artworks.

“When we, as a board, were invited to choose our favourite works from the SCHUNCK collection for the Art Depot, we felt like children in a sweet shop. So many different artists, materials, colours and stories brought together – where do you begin?

The Art Depot made this invitation particularly special. The collection is not only preserved here, but also remains visible and accessible to the public. This ties in beautifully with what the Parkstad Limburg Prize has stood for over the past thirty years: giving young artists a platform and bringing art in Limburg into the spotlight.”

A personal selection

“When making our choices, we did not limit ourselves to a single style, period or discipline. We chose works that touched us personally, surprised us or sparked our curiosity. From paintings and photography to a scale model, a painting made with flock and puff inks, and a dress featuring a photograph of a young woman who was a professional dancer at the time. Some works are exuberant in colour, while others are dark and restrained.

The colour pink also appeared remarkably often. Perhaps that is no coincidence, as our board consists of five women. Apparently, we were drawn to a certain softness, strength and playfulness in colour.

Works from the donated DSM collection hold a special place in our selection. DSM has been involved with the Parkstad Limburg Prize for many years. For us, these works tell a story about the connection between art, entrepreneurship and the region.

As the Parkstad Limburg Prize celebrates an anniversary this year, we also chose works by former nominees and winners. This connects artists who have previously been involved with the prize to a new generation. After all, an award is not just a snapshot in time; it can mark the beginning of a lasting relationship with an artist.

Our selection does not follow a clearly defined theme. Instead, it reflects who we are as a board. Perhaps that is the most wonderful thing about a collection like SCHUNCK’s: everyone can find their own sweet shop within it. What moves us may not be what someone else chooses.”

An artwork with a story that lives on

“While putting together our selection, a remarkable story involving our long-standing investor, Bremen Bouwadviseurs, came to light again.

In 2008, the business partner of director Hans Fiering died unexpectedly. A painting by Jowan van Barneveld came to symbolise this dark period. The work consists of forty transparent layers of black paint and depicts a group of birds in a cave. All the birds touch one another, except for one that is flying away, symbolising the deceased.

Hans was also drawn to the unusual painting technique. The paint flowed horizontally across the canvas rather than vertically, inspiring him to approach and solve a technical construction problem in a different way.

The painting still hangs at Bremen Bouwadviseurs. For Hans, it shows that art can not only move us, but also inspire new ideas and solutions.

With this story in mind, we chose Jowan van Barneveld’s painting from the SCHUNCK collection. It can still be seen in the entrance hall of Heerlen Town Hall until 4 December. From Monday 14 December, it will become part of our presentation in the Art Depot.”

Featuring works by

Jeroen van Bergen, Martijn Lucas van Erp, Romy Finke, Vera Gulikers, Sidi el Karchi, Keetje Mans, Tanja Ritterbex, Sanne Vaassen, Bas de Wit and Liza Wolters. From 14 December, Stage by Jowan van Barneveld will also be added.

About the Art Depot

The Art Depot offers a behind-the-scenes look at the museum. It serves both as a museum storage facility and as a presentation space for works from SCHUNCK’s public art collection.

The Art Depot consists of three climate-controlled museum spaces, each with its own presentation. The first space features a personal selection from the collection, curated by a guest with a connection to Heerlen or Parkstad. This presentation changes three to four times a year. The other two spaces host themed exhibitions, which may or may not be linked to the theme of the current museum exhibition. These presentations change two to three times a year.

Each space contains three electrically movable walls. At the touch of a button, you can choose which wall and which artworks to view. This interactive system makes it possible to display three times as many works as in a traditional exhibition space. Watch this video to see how it works.

The Art Depot and the adjacent Atrium opened in early 2024 as an extension of SCHUNCK Museum. You’ll find the Art Depot in SCHUNCK Glaspaleis. The presentations are free to visit during the building’s regular opening hours.