Finals 2026

Invitation – Graduation exhibition: The necessary existence of a bitter almond, from the 1st till the 4th of July 2026, ArtEZ, Arnhem.

ARNHEM – The graduation exhibition The necessary existence of a bitter almond presents the work of 34 graduating students of BEAR (Base for Experiment, Art & Research) Fine Art ArtEZ and takes place from 1 to 4 July 2026.
 

All almonds look alike. Yet their exterior reveals nothing of what lies within. There is always one that differs from the rest, one that is bitter. The bitter almond reveals its true nature the moment you bite into it. Suddenly. Deeply. Bitter. With an unmistakable taste reminiscent of poison. Even as we try to avoid that bitter almond, the bitterness always arrives and finds it way in, at precisely the moment you least expect it.
 
In the graduation exhibition The necessary existence of a bitter almond, 34 graduating students of BEAR Fine Art ArtEZ explore the complexity of human existence. At a time when the world is on fire and reality is no longer what it seems, the students bring emotions and themes to their work that are raw, pure, authentic, and close to themselves. They challenge the audience to look deeper and to feel more. Like the bitter almond, their works reveal that beauty and discomfort, rawness and loss, trust and distrust, vulnerability and strength are inextricably intertwined. The exhibition invites visitors to experience this duality and to reflect on the necessity of bitterness in life as an indispensable condition for growth, understanding, and change.

Exhibition opening hours:
From Wednesday 1July to Saturday 4 July
10:30 – 21:00 
Location: 
Oude Kraan 26 and 74 6811 LK Arnhem

BEAR Press preview and Professional opening speeches:
Wednesday 1 July 14:00 - Oude Kraan 26
ArtEZ General opening speeches:
Wednesday 1 July 16:00 - Onderlangs 9
BEAR General opening speeches:
Wednesday 1 July 18:00 - Oude Kraan 26

 
Graduates: Ilvy Adams, Lieke van Beek, Caelan Boissevain, Bodien Britschgi, Carlos Colás González, Michalina Doszczak, Sigrid van Essen, Olin 't Hart, Boaz Hoek, Jacqueline Lan, Milou Laroussiyen, Haven Laurel, Zelah Malin, Dominika Mandes, Enrico Manzella, Beau Van Mourik, Merel Nas, Kajetan Oniszk, Jiwoo Park, Soojin Park, Jeongmin Park, Ouiee SY Park, Nesa Pourgholi, Alesia Robu, Nanne van Schie, Charles Senard, Lianne Y. Smit, Æon Teunissen, Mira Tryc-Bromley, Yara Vlasbloem, Max Vree, Roos Marijn Wennekers, Seungyeon Woo, Yuanyuan Zhou.
 
Curator: Fleur Lamers