Author Description

Nicole van Goethem (1941-2000), sketch artist, cartoonist and animator, is the only Belgian to ever win an Oscar; in 1986, she won the prestigious award for her short film Een Griekse tragedie (A Greek Tragedy). In this film, infused with gentle humour, van Goethem expresses understanding for the weaknesses of mankind: three caryatids have been supporting a temple for centuries and are doing everything possible to keep the building stable, but the crumbling structure makes their work increasingly meaningless. Aside from the recognition for Een Griekse tragedie, Nicole van Goethem has won numerous other prizes. Vol van gratie (Full of Grace) was released in 1986, and was immediately nominated for the Golden Palm for best short film at the Cannes Film Festival. Her latest animated film, L.A.T., was finalised two years after her death by her partner Rudi Renson. 00The exhibition presents a selection from the donation of Sonia Renson. It is her wish to find a permanent destination for the archive that she has inherited through her brother Rudi Renson, van Goethem's partner. The donation includes approximately three hundred framed drawings, designs, original drawings on cellophane, personal items, publications, clippings, visual footage (films and videos) and cartoons. The Oscar statuette that Nicole van Goethem won in 1986 is on loan from the producer for the exhibition. 00Exhibition: Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst, Antwerp, Belgium (25.09.2020 - 24.01.2021).