Last week Taco Dibbits, director of Rijksmuseum, accepted the first copy of the new publication by artist Kees de Goede. This was preceded by an interview with the artist by Diana Matroos.

Diamonds are not for everyone, published by Jap Sam Books, presents De Goede’s complete serie of 99 astral drawings (1982-2023). The book was released on the occasion of the acquisition and long-term loan of together 65 works from De Goede’s series of Astral Drawings (1982-2023). An installation of 55 of these works is on display in the Rijksmuseum’s 20th century collection display for six months from mid-May.

A poignant news photograph, a striking headline or a major international event: for more than forty years Kees De Goede (1954) has been responding very tangibly to the news. For his series of ‘Astral drawings’ he uses newspapers as subject matter and as the image support. He paints, draws, applies gold leaf to the pages pr manipulates the paper. The works express a great curiosity about and involvement with the world. Recurrent themes include space, science, faith, violence, racism and geopolitics. The series tells the story of the artist - and how he relates to a rapidly changing world during the years surrounding the millennium transition.

With contributions by Tommy Wieringa, Hans den Hartog Jager, Nanda Janssen
Printed by Drukkerij Robstolk 
Design by Tessa van der Waals
Published by Jap Sam Books
Paper by Schut Papier
Binded by Boekbinderij Van Mierlo B.V.

With the support of Mondriaan Fund, Jaap Harten Fonds, Carla van den Brink, Joe Ruck & Donna Ito, Benien Performing Arts Management, Brendan Becht, Jeron Halewijn

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