Exhibition Tegendraads | Aad de Haas - 100 years
22 Sep 2020 - 21 Feb 2021
In 2020, we celebrated the 100th birthday of the unconventional artist Aad de Haas with the exhibition *Tegendraads* at SCHUNCK Glaspaleis. This exhibition paid tribute to his unique style and uncompromising vision, which made him one of the most influential artists in the Netherlands. His works, often centered around themes such as religion, politics, and personal freedom, challenged the public to explore the boundaries of art.
SCHUNCK Museum is the permanent custodian of a large portion of Aad de Haas' works and celebrates the life and work of this much-discussed artist with this exhibition. It offers an intimate glimpse into the unconventional mind and passionate heart of De Haas, who lived and worked for many years with his family at Strijthagen Castle in Landgraaf, Limburg.
Aad de Haas is known for his rebellious attitude; activism and autonomy were deeply intertwined in his life. His work can also be found in various museum and private collections throughout the Netherlands.
The Exhibition
The exhibition featured over 250 works, showcasing the highlights of his extensive oeuvre, guiding the visitor through the diverse themes in De Haas' work, which remain provocative and engaging to this day. Themes range from mysticism, power, and activism to nostalgia, desire, and (fear of) death. De Haas depicted these themes in his own imaginative and sensual visual language, reminiscent of Symbolist artists like Gustave Moreau, Odilon Redon, and James Ensor.
Lectures
During the exhibition *Tegendraads | Aad de Haas – 100 years*, SCHUNCK also organized accompanying lectures. On September 30, historian Bart Jan de Graaf gave an introductory lecture on the life and work of De Haas. On October 13, cultural historian Ko van Dun placed Aad de Haas' life and work in the context of the turbulent era he lived in, a time of transition from centuries-old authoritarian order to egalitarian mass culture.
Film by Director Zorba Huisman
*Brieven aan de Hemel* is the honest and personal story about De Haas, narrated by his granddaughter, Zorba Huisman. For this film, she interviewed her mother, uncles, and aunts. This touching account offers the first open discussions about De Haas as a father and family man, and the moments with him that shaped his children and loved ones into who they are today. The film premiered at SCHUNCK during the exhibition opening on September 22.
About Aad de Haas
During World War II, Aad de Haas' work was labeled as 'degenerate' by the Germans and consequently banned, leading to his imprisonment. In 1944, he fled to South Limburg with his wife Nel, where he lived and worked for the rest of his life as a socially engaged artist. He is best known for his religious-themed works. After the war, he played a unique role in the Limburg art scene, rejecting trends and continuing to develop a highly distinctive and personal figurative, expressionist oeuvre. For De Haas, this individuality was not just a stylistic choice; his life and work were completely intertwined, and his unrelenting creativity stemmed from a deep personal drive to make 'beautiful things' purely for his own amusement.
Publication
To mark the 100th anniversary, SCHUNCK released a new publication offering fresh perspectives on Aad’s work, life, and the spirit of his time. Contributors include A.H.J. (Anton) Dautzenberg, Wiel Beijer, Ben van Melick, Doris Wintgens, Sandra Smets, Berend Vonk, and Maria Barnas. The publication is available for purchase at the SCHUNCK museum shop.
Aad de Haas – 100 years
*Tegendraads* is part of the *Aad de Haas – 100 years* project, a collaboration between SCHUNCK Museum in Heerlen, Limburgs Museum in Venlo, and Chabot Museum in Rotterdam in celebration of the 100th anniversary.