Dustin Thierry: Opulence

From the ground floor, visitors descend to the museum’s basement level, where subdued blue lighting and golden curtains form the décor to Dustin Thierry’s small scale exhibition, Opulence. Opulence is an ode to the deceased brother of Thierry “and to all those who are not yet able to be true to their sexual identity”, says the artist, born in 1985 in Curaçao. Black and white photographs of individual and group portraits provide a window into the European Ballroom scene; a subculture of the LGBTQI+ community in which black queer young people exuberantly celebrate their identity in dance competitions.

"To all those who are not yet able to be true to their sexual identity.” - Dustin Thierry

Diversity and representation

His photographs are not the only subject of Thierry's keen eye: the artist will also challenge the museum on issues of diversity and representation. A number of prints will be enhanced with a special ink that is only visible under UV light. With this gesture, Thierry makes reference to discrimination and marginalisation, and his mission to “make visible that which is invisible, and to give a voice to that which is often muted”. 

To guarantee a safe and pleasant visit, a maximum of 6 visitors can visit this exhibition simultaneously.