Exhibition on the occasion of the publication of Erik de Graaf's graphic novel of the same name. The graphic novelist honours the famous painter with a colourful story about the last eventful years of his life in Paris, London and New York. On view now until 13 April 2025.
Almost everyone knows Piet Mondrian (1872-1944) as the revolutionary painter of red, white, blue and yellow planes divided between tight black lines. Less well known is that the artist saw it as his task to strive for balance and harmony in his compositions, as a blueprint for a better world. The exhibition Mondrian, a better world, on show from 19 October at the Mondrian House, explores Mondrian's philosophical and idealistic side.
The occasion for this exhibition is the publication of Erik de Graaf's graphic novel of the same name. In the fist-sized publication, the graphic novelist depicts how Mondrian spent the last 11 years of his life moving from Paris, to London and eventually to New York, fleeing the rising tide of Nazism in Europe. Against the backdrop of World War II, Mondrian continued to search until his death for a way to bring light to the increasing darkness in the world.
About Erik de Graaf
Erik de Graaf (Vlaardingen, 1961) has been drawing since he could hold a pencil. However, it took another 40 years before he made his debut as a comic book author.
From 2003, the following appeared in quick succession Faded Memories, Coloured Memory and Found Past, three collections of short stories loosely based on his childhood. With Scherven en Littekens , De Graaf then produced a diptych about a group of young friends during World War II. These publications also appeared in French at Dupuis under the titles Éclats and Cicatrices.
In early October 2024, his graphic novel Mondrian, a better world published. Published by publisher Scratch Books, this colourful graphic novel is also available in the Mondrian House's museum shop.
Want to know more? Then read the interview with Erik de Graaf in which he talks about how his book and the exhibition came about.
In the media
NPO Radio 1: The night of... - 23-10-2024
