Artist: Remy Jungerman, born 1959, Moengo (Marowijne District), Suriname. Lives and works in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
This site specific installation was created for the Art Park in Moengo during Jungerman’s residency at Tembe Art Studio, Moengo, in association with the Mondrian Foundation, the Netherlands. The installation consists of twenty-one casted cement toads, one toad to represent each year since the artist had left his birthplace to live in The Netherlands.
Specifically situated at the main entrance to the Moengo Art Park, the toads act as gatekeepers and protectors of Marowijne’s cultural and artistic future.
“’Happy Land is located directly opposite from the Moengo Market on the Cottica Riverbank. It is a place that holds a great number of memories from my youth. It is also a place that very much signifies for me aspects of my upbringing, heritage and religion as well as my great admiration for the different cultural and religious beliefs of the West-African people who were enslaved and brought to Suriname. All of this rich history is a great inspiration in my work..”
-Remy Jungerman-
“Apuku Return” stands for the return of an ultimate power in the traditional Winti Religion. The God Apuku is able to transform into other Winti Gods. The toads have been drenched in blue pigment (Blauwsel-Reckitts blue) and white Kaolin mineral (Pimba), two principal materials used within traditional Winti rituals to purify and protect. Over time and with exposure to the natural elements, the toads have blended with their natural environment — a patina of mushrooms, mosses and fungi having enveloped these gatekeepers of Moengo.
Special thanks to: Suralco, Moengo Minerals, B. Wehl, Gallery Sukru Oso, Readytex Art Gallery and all those who aided in the realisation of this Installation.
