Final-year students exhibit at SCHUNCK: vulnerable, idiosyncratic, and unfiltered

The exhibition brings together powerful, personal, and experimental works that explore themes such as mortality, consumption, subcultures, and identity – topics that also preoccupied Andy Warhol.

Final-Year Works in the Museum

We & Warhol is the result of an intensive program in which final-year students from the visual arts and design streams of the havo and vwo levels explored their own artistic voices. While typically one school participates annually, this year both schools worked together on the exhibition. This deliberate choice required dedication from both the schools and SCHUNCK but also led to a richer and more diverse presentation.

"We've been doing this for ten years, but this is the first time with Sintermeerten. That collaboration really makes it special," says Myriam Custers, art & visual design teacher at Bernardinuscollege. "It's also a great platform for the students. Exhibiting outside of school, in a museum where anyone can walk in – that goes beyond the classroom."

The collaboration began in December with a kick-off event at school, followed by a visit to the Andy Warhol: Vanitas exhibition. The students received an introduction to Warhol's themes and then worked independently on their contributions. Within fixed themes such as Vanitas, consumption, subcultures, and time capsules, they were given complete freedom to express themselves.

"Not everyone felt equally drawn to the overarching theme of Vanitas. That's why it was great that SCHUNCK provided additional perspectives," says Custers. "This allowed students to choose something that resonated with them – and you can really see that in the works: they reflect distinct personalities."

Vulnerability, Courage, and Uniqueness

The exhibition showcases paintings, drawings, video works, and installations. What stands out is the openness with which students approach their subjects. They are not intimidated by heavy themes but instead make them personal. In the Aad de Haas gallery, three video works are displayed, including a film about drag culture.

"Artists often strive to express themselves in the most uninhibited and honest way – and that's exactly what you see in these young creators," says Simoon Hanssen, education specialist at SCHUNCK.

Personal Stories Behind the Work

One of these creators is Kyra Valkenburg, a student from Sintermeertencollege: "I usually paint realistic landscapes, so Warhol's style is quite far from my own. Still, I wanted to create something that truly reflects me. My work is about my fear of death – something I don't really talk about. It was intimidating to be so open about it, even with my family. But that made it valuable. We've had some meaningful conversations about it."

Louise Kersemakers from Bernardinuscollege also chose to create something personal, in a form that was unusual for her: "I usually draw, but for this exhibition, I decided to try something completely different. I took five photos on the theme of vanity and vulnerability. My face never appears – it's as if you're secretly watching me in everyday situations at home. Photography seemed challenging, but that made it an interesting challenge for my final project. Through this exhibition, I've gained a broader insight into the art world. I mainly knew Warhol for his famous works, but now I've discovered his other side – like his photography and how he combined different movements. I found that inspiring."

From Studio to Exhibition Room

The students were not only given a place in the exhibition room but were actively involved in decisions about the presentation: should the works be at eye level, with or without a background color? Curator Charlotte Coenen guided the setup, and SCHUNCK’s Janneke Peters assisted with the production. The evaluation of the work was done by the schools themselves, but the professional setting at SCHUNCK gave the work an additional platform.

Festive Opening

The official opening took place on Friday, 4 April, at SCHUNCK Glaspaleis, with contributions from, among others, alderwoman Arlette Vrusch and Jack Cortenraad, acting rector of Bernardinuscollege. The festive event marked the beginning of a special exhibition showcasing young talent.

We & Warhol is free to visit until 4 May in the Aad de Haas gallery and the +1 of SCHUNCK Glaspaleis, from Tuesday to Sunday between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The exhibition will be closed during Easter.