The work of Anne Verhoijsen, "Belgrade Secrets", deals with the research and visual presentation of secrets and secret places of Belgrade, as reported or confessed by Belgraders themselves, selected and artistically processed by the author. Why would someone wish to show a secret place or to confess to a visiting artist? In our confusion regarding issues that refer mainly to ourselves, sometimes our only hope is that there is someone, somewhere, a big boyfriend or girlfriend who is entitled to learn about our pains and to consequently define our place and importance in the world and its immanent system of values. Except for associating in an embarrassing way with collections of mystic ritual items of peoples of colonized countries in the museums of colonizers, this secret collection presents us in positive light, as a society ready for certain introspection, if it is provoked by an external intervention. It remains to us to consider whether these are secrets only for the external world, i.e. intended for the external world or the "goats’ ears" of a damned well known country – secrets disclosed and reported to that country. Let my intention of saying this remain a secret.

www.verhoijsen.com

Anne Verhoijsen

Anne Verhoijsen (1951) gained a Master in Fine Arts from the Sandberg Instituut (Amsterdam) in 2002. Her study at the Sandberg Instituut brought her further in the development of Splitzij, a project in which 160 men embroidered a tablecloth. Her studio, where she originally concentrated on painting and later made objects and collages, moved to the outside world, along with her investigations.
Verhoijsen involves people directly in her projects, inviting them to participate in performances. Personal and political elements play an important role in her work. It is not just the investigation that matters; the public must also feel challenged and gain experience – as it did during the auction at Christies (2002) of the work that was produced during the Splitzij performance. Verhoijsen’s work often deals with passion (De Hele Sjouwerman, Kaap Helder, July 2003), inescapability, entrapment (Inner Search, 2003).