Despensa i Pordon
Curaçao Art presents ‘Despensa i Pordon’ with 19 artists
Opening: October 2, 2025
Time: 7 – 9 pm
Location: The Curacao Museum
Nineteen artists share their vision for the future of Curaçao in response to the Netherlands’ apology for its history of slavery in the visual arts exhibition titled Despensa i Pordon (‘Apologies and Forgiveness’). It is organized by Curaçao Art and curated by art historian Josée Thissen-Rojer and art advisor Sinuhe Oomen.
“Awe mi ta pidi diskulpa”
The starting point of the project is the apology for the historical wrongdoing of slavery, offered by Prime Minister Mark Rutte in December 1922: “Awe mi ta pidi diskulpa” (“Today I apologize”), and reaffirmed in 2023 by King Willem-Alexander.
These apologies mark a turning point: for the first time, something that had long been silenced or denied was openly acknowledged. But apologies alone are not enough. Genuine recognition requires dialogue, processing, and imagination. Only then can there be acceptance and a new way of relating to one another.
Change and imagination
Artists are at the forefront of thinking about change. They envision what does not yet exist. For this reason, Curaçao Art invited them to share their vision of the future: Curaçao in 2035.
Each artist is creating two works: one in their own style, and another specially designed for people with visual impairments.
In-depth exploration
Over the past year, the artists have participated in a program designed to deepen their understanding of the history of slavery. At the request of Curaçao Art, NAAM (National Archeological Anthropological Memory Management) developed and conducted a course based on the themes in the report ‘Ketenen van het Verleden’ (Chains from the Past). During this course, the artists studied topics such as slavery in Curaçao, our image of the enslaved, the emancipation of 1863, the post-emancipation period, the society of the twentieth century, the ongoing effects of slavery and different ways of healing.
Art for the visually impaired
The program also included special events, like a ‘Dinner in the Dark’ at Probista and a lecture by Mr. Bob Harms on the ongoing effects of slavery. For the artist, the ‘Dinner in the Dark’ was a chance to experience the world as someone with visual impairment. What does it mean to perform a simple daily activity when you can only depend on the other four senses: hearing, taste, touch and smell? How do you finish your plate when you cannot see it?
New work
The artists then returned to their studios to create new work: one in their own style, and another specially designed for people with visual impairments. The program concludes with an exhibition at The Curaçao Museum, opening on October 2, 2025.
Participating artists
7.1 Giovanni Abath, Papy Adriana, Vesuhely Americaan, Lara Bonomo, Alejandra Cijntje, Avantia Damberg, Kerr (Sé) de Lanooi, Gino Martina, Ashley Mauricia, Ans Mezas Hummelink, Erica Obersi, Morgaine Parris, Hector Ceferino Raphaela, Suzet Rosaria, Brett Russel, Shartella Santiago, Omar Sling, Andrew Thodé and Merly Trappenberg.
Curaçao Art
Founded in 2011, Curaçao Art aims to bring art, artists and audiences closer together. Since 2013, the website curacao-art.com has been reporting on exhibitions and regularly publishing new artist biographies.
Acknowledgements
‘Despensa i Pordon is made possible with support from the Herdenkingscomité Slavernijverleden, the DNB Fonds – deelgebied Caribbean i.s.m. het CCG, The Curaçao Museum, and the Vertegenwoordiging van Nederland in Willemstad.
Visitor information
Despensa i Pordon runs from October 2 until January 10, 2026, at The Curaçao Museum.
Van Leeuwenhoekstraat z/n.
Tuesday – Friday, 08:30 am – 4:00 pm.
Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
© When reproducing the text above, please credit the source: Curaçao Art®️ www.curacao-art.com. The artist retains all image rights of their artworks.
