
Counterbodies
GRAW
18, 19, 20 September 2026
De Achtertuin, Oostzeedijk 108, Rotterdam
FRIDAY 18:00 - 21:00
SATURDAY 12:00 - 18:00
SUNDAY 12:00 - 18:00
Counterbodies bring together a diverse group of artists, each offering a distinct interpretation of the human body as a thematic and visual source for research, experiment, and expression.
Through painting, sculpture, photography, embroidery, and digital art, the participating artists explore the body's many facets; its beauty, vulnerability, strength, and complexity. The exhibition's heart is a deeper inquiry into the body's social, cultural, and political meanings. These artists challenge conventional representations, addressing the body as both a site of personal identity and a cultural construct.
By presenting controversial, provocative, and sometimes uncomfortable works, Counterbodies sparks a dialogue that encourages visitors to confront their perceptions, biases, and taboos surrounding the body.
The body is not just a physical entity; it is a dynamic medium of expression, a vessel through which we communicate our inner selves and a symbol of our shared humanity. This exhibition aims to create a space for renewed exploration; a space in which the body is considered not only as an object of desire or stigma but as a living, breathing form that carries emotional, social, and psychological significance.
Counterbodies invites a conversation about the body in all its forms, offering a platform for artists and visitors to engage openly and honestly, question preconceived notions, and expand their understanding of the complex ways in which the body shapes and is shaped by our world.
List of participating artists:
Leon Stoffelen
Karin Arink
Amrith de Zoete
Eliot Allsop
Nikki Vroom
Sigrid Saminte Ekeland
Studio NVDP
Atty Bax
Luis Xertu
Jolanda Linssen
Rolf den Dunnen
Art direction and curation:
Vladimir Radujkov
Huge thank you to our partners:
De Achtertuin
Counterbodies is made possible by:
Gemeente Rotterdam, Gebiedscommissie Kralingen Crooswijk,
Cultuur Concreet
Special thanks to:
Melanie Tissen
Photo credits:
Jan Arsenovic