Cover Junkie exhibition The Originals opens in Amsterdam
Cover Junkie, the archival magazine cover project of Jaap Biemans has opened a brand new exhibition in Amsterdam this Spring. “The Originals” exhibition celebrates the power of magazine cover art through a range of physical pieces across a plethora of historical and present-day magazines. Open between 13 May – 17 June 2023, this exhibition is a reminder of how visual culture is integral to our everyday life.
With over 100,000 followers on Instagram and a D&AD Pencil under his belt for his cover of Volkskrant in 2020, Jaap is no newcomer to the magazine world. As an avid collector, his private collection can be seen in the exhibition alongside some of the most recognised covers printed today. Covers from Interview, TIME, Vogue, Paper, Playboy, The New Yorker and The Sunday Time Magazine are exhibited, to name a small few.
Their home during the exhibition is Gallery Madé van Krimpen in the heart of Amsterdam, Netherlands. They write on their website, “by showcasing the original art pieces alongside their corresponding magazine covers and physical publications, providing a glimpse into the dynamic relationship between art and media. This exhibition celebrates the impact of art in the world of magazines and invites viewers to consider the influence that cover art has on our collective cultural consciousness. Presented in partnership with Coverjunkie, the premier platform for collecting magazine covers created by Jaap Biemans.”
"[Magazine covers] are visual timepieces that explore various cultural narratives, reminiscent of the media rhetoric of their time."
Stuart Williams, Owner of Overleaf
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Although magazine covers are the main feature of the exhibition, Jaap and the gallery have also worked with artists to feature exclusive original works. Artists include Jack Davison, Beni Bischof, Kwesi Botchway, Carlota Guerrero, Katrien de Blauwer, and Duran Lantink. Katrien de Blauwer’s work was notably on the cover of Inque magazine’s debut issue which we wrote about here. Katrien’s collage work is noted as a personal journey by the gallery – “[Katrien] creates intimate and personal works addressing the unconscious,” they write. Her work can be seen alongside the likes of Gary Baseman, an interdisciplinary artist known for his bold iconography and intriguing visual narratives.
This diverse mix of both the physical magazines on show and the art used for the covers brings the magazine covers into a new dimension – one that can be experienced deeper and allows viewers to engage differently with the art than what was intended with the printed copy. Notable covers include an award-winning piece by Beni Bischof for Volkskrant, but viewers can also enjoy the famous Muhammad Ali piece by Esquire, famously art directed by the late George Louis. Both are visual timepieces that explore various cultural narratives, reminiscent of the media rhetoric of their time.
Held between 13 May – 17 June 2023 at Gallery Madé van Krimpen in Amsterdam, “The Originals” is a must see for all print lovers, magazine collectors and creatives alike. Visit the gallery at Prinsengracht 615 H. Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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