This document will provide you with an insight on who Remy Jungerman is and what he uses as inspiration in the creation of his artworks.

1. REMY JUNGERMAN
VISUAL ESSAY
BY ERNARTRA EWING
ID NUMBER 1201057
COURSE: MODERN CARIBBBEAN ART
COURSE CODE: AH201B
LECTUERER: DR. PETRINA DACRES

2. VISUAL ANALYSIS

3. ABOUT THE ARTIST – REMY JUNGERMAN
According to Bertus Pieters (2015), Remy
Jungerman was born in Suriname (1959) and is
currently living and working in Amsterdam. His
works refer to his different cultural roots and
their intermingled histories.
Remy Jungerman, who is a Sculptor, Illustrator
and screen printer, is now classified as one of
The Netherlands most important artist.
His works embody his Surinam-African maroon
heritage with an integration of African Diaspora
as well as a modernist, geometric abstract
language (modernism).

5. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONNECTION:
Jungerman’s work is clearly inspired by his cultural
identity and ancestry. Jungerman’s father was of
European decent and his mother African heritage.
His abstract and geometric modernist style is
inspired by the patterns used in the Suriname
culture.
In his works he connects, juxtaposes and contrasts
different cultures of different countries that all
make up his cultural identity. Jungerman once
stated, “I like to explore things which are related to
my culture, by bringing the discussion to a larger
audience, by bringing it into consideration.”

6. PHOTOS OF THE MAROONS CLOTHING:
A BASIC PANGI OR KAMISA
A BASIC PANGI OR KAMISA

7. EXPLORATION OF A
SPECIFIC ARTWORK

8. TRANSITION NKISI
Materials used: Cotton textile, Kaolin,
Wood, Iron nails
Size: 33 x 16,5 x 15,7 inch (84 x 42 x 40
cm)
Year: 2015

9. BREAKDOWN OF THE WORK – ‘TRANSITION NKISI’
The geometric textile pattern inspired by the Maroon’s
clothing.
Remy Jungerman’s artwork
Maroon Fashion

10. BREAKDOWN OF THE WORK – ‘TRANSITION NKISI’
The white that you see on the
panels is what is known as Kaolin.
Kaolin is a layered silicate mineral.
Kaolin is used in ceramics,
medicine, coated paper, as a food
additive, in toothpaste, as a light
diffusing material in white
incandescent light bulbs, and in
cosmetics (DrugBank).
Jungerman specifically chose to
include this material in his work
due to its linkage to the Winti
religion and its ritual practice.

11. Winti is 16th century African
religion that was practiced by
enslaved Africans taken from West
Africa which can be found practiced
all over Suriname. Hence the
reason why the artist, Remy
Jungerman, found it significant to
include in his works.
In the Winti Religion, Kaolin clay is
rubbed on the face and body, acts
as a talisman to protect rituals
from negative influences.

12. BACKGROUND OF THE WORK – ‘TRANSITION NKISI’
The nails are a
representation of
those used in the
creation of
Congolese Nkisi
dolls which are
also referred to as
‘Power Figures’.

13. BACKGROUND OF THE WORK – ‘TRANSITION NKISI’
Power Figure (Kongo Peoples) (Nkisi Nkondi)
Remy Jungerman’s artwork

14. TRANSITION NKISI, 2015
 Overall, the different spiritualties used in this
work, as well as many pother works by
Jungerman, add to each other’s presence and
perhaps even intensifies its ‘power’ entirely.
 Jungerman’s works can be described as both a
spiritually connected and enjoyable
presentation.
 Jungerman is also a great example of how an
artist can integrate both culture and art. He is
not afraid to embrace his identity and explore
his ancestral connections through the way in
which he knows best ‘art’.

15. ART & CULTURE POEM BY EDWARD KOFI LOUIS
Art and culture,
Going my own way;
With my imagination,
With my style,
With my innovation,
With my works,
With my words,
With my mind,
Respecting my culture!
And, touching the world with my muse.
Art and culture!
The muse of life;
With the ways of nature,
Resting on mankind,
In every land.
My imagination!
My nation;
The place of my birth,
With my works to the world.

16. BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Pieters, B. (2015) Remy jungerman, crossing the water,
Gemeentemuseum, The Hague, Villa Next Door. Available at:
https://villanextdoor.wordpress.com/2015/08/07/remy-jungerman-
crossing-the-water-gemeentemuseum-the-hague/ (Accessed: 08
May 2023).
• Remy jungerman (no date) Fridman Gallery. Available at:
https://www.fridmangallery.com/remy-jungerman?lightbox=dataItem-
jve5rr67 (Accessed: 08 May 2023).