Its Not A Joke
From 1 April 2025
Jokes might seem inappropriate when the news is confronting us with all the problems in the world today. But humour is especially important when times are tough. In art, humour is often evident in the form of rebellious, disturbing or liberating elements. Jokes make it possible to openly discuss loaded subjects, overcome inhibitions, cope with hardships and put things into perspective and process them. It’s Not A Joke, a group exhibition starting at museum van Bommel van Dam in Venlo on 1 April 2025, presents leading and emerging contemporary artists who use humour to expose social, societal and political issues. They challenge visitors to look beyond the playful appearance of their work and encourage them to reflect on themes like gender inequality, abuse of power and climate change.
The following artists are participating: Yael Bartana (IS, 1970), Salim Bayri (MA, 1992), Pii Daenen (NL, 1950), Ryan Gander (GB, 1976), Willem de Haan (NL, 1996), Sarah Lucas (GB, 1962), Tala Madani (IR, 1981), Hester Oerlemans (NL, 1961), Agata Siwek (PO, 1972), Ghita Skali (MA, 1992) and Nora Turato (HR, 1991).
The power of humour
Change is vital in today's troubled world. But it also creates uncertainty and anxiety. Rieke Righolt, the Director of museum van Bommel van Dam, explains the role that art can play: "Artists help us put the many challenges we face into perspective or take them seriously, see new perspectives and bridge differences in thinking. They also enable us to connect with ourselves and others and think about a shared future. Humour is a powerful tool that can broaden thinking." The exhibition presents both established and promising national and international artists who use humour, absurdism and satire to highlight themes like gender inequality, abuse of power and our treatment of the planet. Their chosen approaches range from direct and confrontational to subtle and poetic.
For example, British artist Sarah Lucas (1962), who achieved international success back in the 1990s. Her works are both humorous and confrontational and challenge prevailing ideas about masculinity and femininity. The large, site-specific mural created by Croatian artist Nora Turato (1991) makes us consider how authentic we actually still are in an online world that is all about consumerism. Iranian Tala Madani (1981) uses slapstick-style animations to encourage us to discuss myths surrounding motherhood. Curator Sjors Bindels: "Humour makes these loaded subjects more light-hearted and accessible. The exhibition is a great way of making it easier for people to discuss difficult subjects, break taboos and reflect on society of today and tomorrow."
Get creative in 'The Self-Mockery Space'
Besides confronting visitors with various current themes, the exhibition is also designed to promote interaction. Fun, education, dialogue and community engagement are key in 'The Self-Mockery Space', a shared area in the exhibition hall. Here, visitors see how humour is perceived by different generations and cultures and explore their own humorous stance on events happening in the world around them. The accessible programme highlights the power that humour has to connect and exclude and allows people to reflect on social issues together. Willem de Haan (NL, 1996) and Ghita Skali (MA, 1992) are both involved in the presentation and will guide museum visitors and local residents from Venlo through the extensive public programme. The outcome: an absurdist art project. "We want to use humour as a bridge that empowers us to contribute to a cultural environment where everyone feels welcome and able to express themselves," museum Director Rieke Righolt says.
Ryan Gander, Take confidence in your abilities, 2019 © Ryan Gander; Courtesy Lisson Gallery
The exhibition is made possible with support from:
