Two exhibitions, one shared landscape. After a year of encounters with people, animals, and the changing Frisian countryside, VHDG Lokaal brought together two art presentations by ERBA (Suzanne Bernhardt & Philipp Kolmann) and myself.
In Hyndertiid, I share reflections on the time we spend with horses, in earlier times and now. For a year, I visited horses and horse people. Through the hands of herders, farmers, and breeders, the Frisian horse has transformed over time from a wild herd animal to a farmhand, means of transport and warfare, and even into a show horse and film star. In each of these roles, it has deeply shaped human life. What does it mean to work together with this four legged being? And what futures lie ahead for us and the horse?
Field Weave (Yasmine Machteld K)
A record of the movements, colours and rhythms of a herd of horses, woven in five days among the herd on plot “Nico 2” of Stoeterij Kruis stud farm in the Pinepolder. The weaving serves as a timeline of the interactions in and around the herd in the here and now. The warp of the work is set up to match the girth of Yasmine Machteld K, leader of the herd, translating the physical scale of the horse into the textile. The weaving hangs at the horse’s withers height: 169 cm. On the floor is a circle of sand evoking a training carousel with horses’ hoofprints.
Made in wool and cotton using a combination of traditional and free tapestry techniques
In collaboration with Severine Amsing
With thanks to Coby Kruis and Stoeterij Kruis (Heeg)
Photos Afrida Adema 2025
Hyndertiid exhibition
Photos by Rolando Vázquez, Sophie Krier & David Vroom, 2025
Toy bones
Inspired by a conversation with zooarchaeologists Egge Knol and Wietske Prummel about early medieval burial rituals and horse graves from the time when the Frisians lived on mounds. The 28 toy bones are replicas of excavated horse phalanges. These bones were probably used in games of skill or in divinity rituals. The work highlights the interface between archaeological object, ritual and artistic interpretation, inviting the viewer to feel and experience the past through tactile objects.
Made in chamotte clay, polished with agate stones, fired using the Saggar technique with the addition of metal oxides, hay, horsehair and manure from Stoeterij Kruis, and finished with beeswax
In collaboration with Lies van Huet (Lies Keramiek)
With thanks to the Groninger Institute for Archaeology (GIA), Thom Bongers, Wietske Prummel and Egge Knol
Measuring stick (56 million years)
A wooden measuring stick with brass engravings depicting time periods, horse species and wither heights. The object illustrates the effects of domestication on the anatomy and socialisation of horses. The measuring stick functions as both a measuring instrument and an archive: a material translation of millions of years of evolutionary and human history, captured in a tangible object.
Second-hand stick (⌀ 3.5 cm), brass engraving
Engravings by Repko Gravure (Sneek)
With thanks to Association Takh, Association du Four à Pain (Causse Méjean, France) and Hélène Roche
For full object descriptions:
Handout-Hyndertiid EN NL
Hyndertiid_audio portraits EN NL
Special thanks to
Coby en Jan Kruis, Severine Amsing, Lies van Huet, Marnix Sixma, “Hynders” by Greetje Bijma & Oceanic, Judith van Heerde, Anne Graswinckel, Tialda Hoogeveen, Vrouwengroep AZC St Anna de Parochie, ERBA (Suzanne Bernhardt & Philipp Kolmann), Eponaquest community and all horses for their timeless wisdom
…and everyone who shared their world with me over the past year and whose voice contributed to Hyndertiid
VHDG team
Artistic director: Koen Bartijn
Managing director: Hillebrand Rijpsma
Research assistance & project direction: Lola Diaz Cantoni
Education: Siska Alkema
Fundraising: Roísín Douglas
Production: Liselot Jaspers Focks & Ids Terpstra
Communication: Femke Wijbenga & Maaike Schrikker
Photography: Afrida Adema & David Vroom
Poster design: Megan de Vos
