Priscila Fernandes: Idleness' Owl

Priscila Fernandes traces parallel narratives in an alternative Boijmans collection guide. In ‘Idleness’ Owl’ Fernandes refers to artworks in the Boijmans collection by imagining the inner and (somewhat) fictional lives of the artworks and their makers. In the book you can read the story of an owl that lives at the depot and whose hunger for art is insatiable. ‘Idleness’ Owl’, which was co-written by Terje Øverås, is not exactly a children’s book as it is at times as poetic as theoretical.

At Zuid., Fernandes presents the original wax-paintings that are included in the publication. This technique of wax painting—which is also called encaustic—is a process of painting with hot beeswax and pigments on a heat source. One can only paint when the wax and paper are hot, which forces the artist to work quickly.

"rooting around in entrails slimy with unpalatable controversy
gnawing at bones of outdated ideas, even chewing the brim of an old hat
the owl does not shy away from any dinner invitation

the gastric chaos of the owl’s innards is a purgatory
where taste has been suspended and judgement averted
being eaten is a grace, being shat out is a forgiveness"

Using the accession numbers which are noted on each page, it is possible to see each artwork that inspired a painting. You can search for them here on the collection page of the Boijmans website.

The publication and presentation at Zuid. were designed in collaboration with Studio Janne Beldman.