A Sheet of Paper Can Become a Knife
The exhibition title is inspired by a poem by Tsering Woeser, whose ongoing struggle against oppression and violence has been a source of inspiration for activists throughout the world. Her description of what is presumably an ordinary paper-cut suggests that almost anything can suddenly become a weapon—inexplicably and without warning. Her poem resonates as an apt metaphor for the proximity and threat of violence worldwide. The entangled histories of violence and oppression conveyed in this exhibition convey a deeply unsettling collective narrative of social injustice. Although the primary focus is on violence and oppression in contemporary society, the brutal weight of history looms heavily throughout. The stories that unfold reveal striking similarities between forms of violence regardless of location. Recurring themes include gender violence and the prevalence of violence against women and children in particular; censorship and surveillance; the exotification of the black female body, and shared histories of war, military rule, and political oppression. The featured works also shed light on the social circumstances that lead to violence and oppression in the first place. Curated by Selene Wendt for The Prince Claus Fund Gallery, Amsterdam. Participating artists: Regina José Galindo, David Goldblatt, FX Harsono, Amar Kanwar, Naiza Khan, Teresa Margolles, Cildo Meireles, Zanele Muholi, Oscar Muñoz, and Newsha Tavakolian.