Boris van Berkum

printing (3D) , ceramics , History , Diversity , Diaspora , Decolonization , sculpting , Archives

Boris van Berkum (Rotterdam 1968) is a typical neo-artist, as he weaves together various styles and cultural influences into innovative works of art. His creations are the result of in-depth research and close collaboration with representatives of various cultures. He works with ceramics, bronze and 3D modelling techniques. After his time at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, where he made political cartoons for a living, he founded MAMA in 1997, a leading platform for young art. He was its director until 2007. Since 2010, Van Berkum has been working with Winti priestess Marian Markelo on a growing oeuvre related to the Winti religion. His work, exhibited in renowned Dutch institutions, is collected by museums such as Boijmans Van Beuningen. He is co-founder of the Cool Clay Collective, a workshop for and by artists. He is represented by gallery Fontana Amsterdam.

**Kabra Blauw set van twee pronkvazen** - left decor Diamond, right decor Parsley Boris van Berkum, Year: 2022, Material: casting clay, engobe, cobalt glaze, gold luster 100 x 47 x 47 cm, hand-painted by master pottery painter Diana van Zeijl, Heinen Delft Blue. collection Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. photo Tom Haartsen. Kabra Blue is a fusion of two ancestral traditions: the Afro Surinamese Kabra ancestors and the Dutch Delft Blue.

**Inwijding Kabra Blauw (video)** - Depot museum Boijmans van Beuningen December 6, 2022, Video fragment with sound This video shows the consecration of the Kabra Blue show vase by winti priestess Marian Markelo: “Mother goddess, ancestors, Let this be the proof of the bond between art and spirituality between past and present between present and future May this work of art, based on an African ancestor mask in combination with a vase from the Delft factory Het Moriaanshooft, which we have brought together in the spirit of unity and in the spirit of connection, in historical context, in anthropological context and in social context. To prove to the Netherlands that art, spirituality and history can create connection. That art and spirituality are not means for polarization but are means for connection. Let this be the power that this work of art radiates. “ Marian Markelo

**Kabra Blauw the making of an object of desire (video)** - Video Kabra Blue making process Workshop Heinen 2021 Video fragment with sound This video shows the making of a Kabra Blue (lidded vase 60 cm) that is the result of a merger of two ancestral traditions: Delft Blue and the Kabra Winti ancestral culture.

**Kabra Blauw Zoutvaatje hét aandenken Herdenkingsjaar Slavernijverleden** - Kabra Blue salt cellar Boris van Berkum Year 2023 Porcelain, cobalt glaze transfer, gold luster. 12 x 3,5 x 3,5 cm Unlimited edition. “The Kabra Blue salt shaker ensures that the conversation about the history of Dutch slavery can be had at the kitchen table.” Linda Nooitmeer, chairman of NiNsee. The salt shaker also draws attention to the dark history of salt mining during slavery on Bonaire, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The salt mine was the colonial government's penal colony and was called 'the White Hell' by the enslaved. Forced labor was carried out under inhumane conditions; the reflection of the sun on the salt made people blind.

KABRA Commemorative Pin — **KABRA Herdenkingsspeld** - Kabra memorial pin Boris van Berkum year 2023 4 x 3,5 cm enamelled brass Client NiNsee. The Kabra memorial pin is an abstract representation of the Kabra ancestor mask. Since 2013, the Kabra mask has accompanied Marian Markelo every year when bringing the libation in commemoration of the ancestors during the National Commemoration of Dutch Slavery Past on Keti Koti. From 2023, more than 10.000 people will wear the ancestor pin. King Willem-Alexander also did so during his speech on the National Commemoration of Slavery Past in the Oosterpark in Amsterdam on July 1, 2023. He spoke words of remorse and apologies for the crimes against humanity and even asked for an apology. “ Ten kon drai. Times have changed. Den keti koti Fu tru! The chains have been broken Really!”

Mom Aisa Blaka — **Mama Aisa Blaka (video)** - Mama Aisa Blaka year 2023 lacquered polyester Dimensions: 126 cm (L) × 110 cm (W) × 150 cm (H) Mama Aisa goddess of art and trade at Art Rotterdam 2025 In Winti spirituality, Mama Aisa is the primal mother, mother earth, goddess of all flora and fauna. She is the patroness of medicine, the arts and trade. Artist Boris van Berkum depicted her in this black lacquered showpiece commissioned by Winti priest Marian Markelo. In West Africa her name is Asase Yaa, in ancient Egypt Isis. In Suriname she is also affectionately called Mamaisa. With the migration of many people with African roots, she now also lives in the Netherlands. Van Berkum made this work of art commissioned by Winti priest Marian Markelo. Winti is an Afro-Surinamese spiritual and cultural tradition that combines elements of African religions, such as those of the Akan, and other indigenous beliefs, focusing on ancestor worship, nature spirits and rituals to promote health, protection and well-being. Mama Aisa showpiece, Boris van Berkum, Sculpturegarden Art Rotterdam, Fontana gallery (Amsterdam / Brussels)

Winti Masked Ball 2023 / 2025 — **Winti Bal Masqué 2023 / 2025** - The Winti Bal Masqué is a special event that is a unique combination of art, culture, history and winti spirituality. The classic Winti Dance Ritual in honor of the Winti Gods and Ancestors comes together with the European tradition of the masked ball. This spectacular festival is organized every other year by winti priest Marian Markelo and artist Boris van Berkum in the Theater Rotterdam. The Winti Bal Masqué was performed on October 14, 2023 and is expected on October 11, 2025. Group photo with audience Theater Rotterdam 2023 (Photo Sebiha Öztas)

Mama Aisa Prodo Waka (Show off for Mama Aisa) — **Mama Aisa Prodo Waka (Pronkloop voor Mama Aisa)** - The Mama Aisa prodo waka is a festive ceremonial 'show run' It is a procession in honor of the Winti mother goddess Mama Aisa. The centerpiece is a life-size Mama Aisa showpiece on a stretcher, artist Boris van Berkum. Under the leadership of Marian Markelo Winti priestess and Andy Arduin specialist of the Afro-Surinamese Koto costume, Mama Aisa songs are sung by the Sanisa Kotomisi Group with brass band, while Wan Lespeki Kari aflegvereniging accompanies the stretcher. The first 'Mama Aisa Prodo Waka' was walked on October 13, 2023 from Melly art institute to the Winti Bal Masqué in the Theater Rotterdam, where she was inaugurated during the Winti Bal Masqué by Marian Markelo for an enthusiastic audience.

**Mama Aisa pronkbeeld** - Mama Aisa showpiece, Boris van Berkum, Year: 2023, Material: polyester, lacquered PPG lacquer mother of pearl, 150 x 110 x 125 cm courtesy Galerie Fontana, photo Melly Kunsinstituut. The design of the Mama Aisa showpiece is a digital assemblage of three 3D scans, in which Marian Markelo posed as Mama Aisa. 3D scans were made of a mask and a wooden statue of a healer from the collection of the Wereld Museum. The patterns that are visible in the fabric expressions of the design come from the collection of the Tropenmuseum and textile printing company Vilsco Helmond.

**Kabra voorouder masker** - Year 2013 Size 60 x 40 x 40 cm Polyurethane, textile, wood. Collection Amsterdam Museum Exhibitions: CBK south east Amsterdam, Amsterdam Museum Tropenmuseum, Museum Volkenkunde Leiden. Performances: National Commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery, Oosterpark Amsterdam; CBK south east Amsterdam; Keti Koti festival Africa museum; Keti Koti festival Oosterpark; Kabra neti Muiderkerk Amsterdam; Kabra neti Sunclub Rotterdam; Winti Bal Masqué Laurenskerk, Theater Rotterdam; Neighborhood Safari Bijlmer edition Amsterdam South East; Memre Waka: the annual memorial tour from the Amsterdam Museum to the mayor's residence Herengracht Amsterdam.

**NOS uitzending plengoffer Marian Markelo met Kabra vooroudermasker (video)** - Winti priestess Marian Markelo performs a libation for the ancestors. With this she traditionally opens the National Remembrance of Slavery Past every year on Keti Koti. Since 2013, Marian is accompanied by the Kabra ancestor mask, worn by performer Vanessa Felter. Artist Boris van Berkum made the mask on behalf of Marian Markelo based on a Yoruba ancestor mask that he scanned in 3D in the depot of the Africa Museum Berg en Dal.

**Reclining Figure** - Reclining figure 2019 26 x 44 x 3 cm glazed porcelain Made in Jingdezhen China Exhibitions: Na Gallery Jingdezhen China Private collection

Ingi and Watra Ingi — **Ingi en Watra Ingi** - Left: INGI Boris van Berkum year 2012 50 x 30 x 15 cm Ceramics unglazed Right: WATRA INGI Boris van Berkum year 2012 45 x 35 x 18 cm Ceramics unglazed First sculptures made by Boris van Berkum commissioned by Marian Markelo, in which the sculptural African tradition of art innovation was sought to breathe new life into the ritual. This was forgotten by the enslaved Afro Surinamese on the Protestant plantations. The sculptures are the imagination of the Ingi winti god of fresh water and protector of the forest.

**AISA INGI** - AISA INGI Boris van Berkum, year 2013, 150 x 40 x 40 cm Ceramic unglazed.

**FLOW 1** - 2019 glazed porcelain 82 x 44 x 2 cm Made in Jingdezhen China Exhibitions: Na Gallery Jingdezhen China Private collection

**FLOW 2** - Flow II 2019 glazed porcelain 82 x 44 x 2 cm Made in Jingdezhen China Exhibitions: Na Gallery Jingdezhen China Private collection

Winti Bal Masqué - organisatie en artistieke leiding

Date: 14-10-2023 t/m 15-10-2023

Location: Theater Rotterdam

In association with: Marian Markelo, Theater Rotterdam, Melly kunstinstituut

The Winti Bal Masqué is a dance ritual, a celebration of the Winti culture, where dance is central as a form of spiritual expression and connection with ancestors and spirits. During the ball, people come together to dance to traditional Winti music, accompanied by ritual drums and other percussion instruments. Boris van Berkum and Marian Markelo organize this spectacular event.

https://www.wintibalmasque.nl

Mama Aisa prodo waka

Date: 13-10-2023 t/m 13-10-2023

Location: De eerste 'Mama Aisa prodo waka’ werd gelopen op 13 oktober 2023 van Melly kunstinstituut naar Theater Rotterdam.

In association with: Theater Rotterdam, Aban foundation, Melly kunstinstituut

Mama Aisa prodo waka is a festive ceremonial 'show off' and procession in honor of Winti goddess Mama Aisa. The centerpiece is Mama Aisa, depicted by artist Boris van Berkum in a life-size sculpture made of lacquered polyester.

Performers:
Marian Markelo Winti priestess
Andy Arduin koto specialist
Sanisa kotomisi group, koto women's company 18 members
Wan Lespeki Kari discarding association 7 members
Drum & Brass Band 6 members.

https://www.mamaaisa.nl

COOL CLAY COLLECTIVE - Oprichter, dagelijks bestuur

Date: 01-10-2022 t/m 01-03-2030

Location: Spaanse polder

In association with: 8 leden en bestuur van de stichting Cool Clay Collective

Cool Clay Collective ceramics workshop by and for artists.
CCC offers an artist in residency program with ceramic kilns for large and smaller works
with the aim of stimulating experimental innovation and high-quality art production in the field of ceramics.
The CCC also offers a firing service and organises events and exhibitions around ceramics.

https://www.coolclay.nl

Showroom Mama, Oprichter & directeur

Date: 14-02-1997 t/m 01-12-2007

Location: Witte de Withstraat Rotterdam

In association with: Jeroen Everaert en stichting public art squad

Boris van Berkum founded MAMA 'showroom for media and Moving art' at the age of 27. He was director of this dynamic, often controversial platform for contemporary visual culture from 1997 to 2007. During MAMA, he and his business partner Jeroen Everaert founded an employment agency and project agency for artists: Mothership. He was co-director until 2005. During the MAMA period, Boris collaborated with more than 500 artists locally, nationally and internationally.

https://thisismama.nl/en

This artist has no awards yet.