Anaïs López (NL, b. 1981) is an Amsterdam-based visual artist whose multimedia works reveal a central commitment to storytelling. López’ work has been exhibited in museums and festivals worldwide and has been recognised by many prestigious prizes. Her recent project, The Migrant, was nominated for a Golden Calf at the Dutch Film Festival, as well as winning The Dutch Directors Guild award for best digital storytelling, and the Zilveren Camera award for best storytelling. López’ latest artist book was named best self-published book at Photo España and received the bronze medal for best book at the Leipzig Buchmesse. She was also awarded the title of Master Storyteller by the Narrative Journalism Foundation.
The handmade golden silkscreens (2018–2019) presented here form part of López’ multimedia project, The Migrant. The Migrant tells the turbulent life story of the Javan mynah. A member of the starling family, the bird is originally from Java (Indonesia) but was introduced to Singapore in the early 20th century via the songbird trade. Today, the feathered friend is reviled, persecuted, and even killed. The Migrant tells the remarkable life story of one bird whilst simultaneously addressing broader themes, such as the complex relationship between humans and animals, the consequences of rapid urbanisation, and the position of the unwanted outsider.
The silkscreens, which represent the story of Mynah, are all unique and made with golden ink. They were exhibited at Rottderdam’s Netherlands Photo Museum in 2020.
