Klik hier voor de Nederlandse pagina.From 29 November 2025 to 3 May 2026, the Fries Museum will present the first solo museum exhibition by Louwrien Wijers (Aalten, 1941). This year, the artist is being awarded the GERRIT BENNER Prize for her significant contribution to visual arts in Fryslân. The jury commended her unique way of working, in which language, listening and conversation play an important role: ‘She regards words, ideas and communication as art forms and highlights their value to society. Her work is calm and considered, and is a powerful counterbalance to today’s visual culture.’ Throughout her career, Louwrien Wijers has engaged in conversations with influential artists, scientists and thinkers, including Andy Warhol and the Dalai Lama. Her unorthodox and intangible way of working has earned her a unique but modest position in the art world. The exhibition We Live in Language presents an overview of her oeuvre, including work that has never been shown before.
Louwrien Wijers is a visual artist and writer, though she primarily sees herself as a sculptor. She gained recognition for her ‘mental sculptures’: artworks consisting of language and dialogue. In the exhibition, visitors almost literally step into her conversations. Surrounded by language, Louwrien encourages them to be inspired by the encounters.
‘We live in language,’ she says. By carefully weighing our words, listening attentively to others, and reaching mutual understanding, we shape the world and the future with language. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to listen to some of Wijers’ ‘mental sculptures’, including interviews with the artist collective General Idea, artist Joseph Beuys, and former Minister of Digital Affairs in Taiwan, Audrey Tang. This retrospective also features early work, such as her first piece, 40 woorden (40 Words), and her first sculpture, Inkeer (Repentance), which are displayed together for the first time. The exhibition is curated by Titus Nouwens and the graphic design in the exhibition space is by Irma Boom.
louwrien wijers
Louwrien Wijers (1941, Aalten) lives near Hallum and works in Ferwert. She considers herself a sculptor: thanks to her eighteen-year collaboration with artist Joseph Beuys, she came to view writing and speaking as sculptural practices. Her work explores the relationship between art, science, spirituality, and economics. A pivotal moment in her career was the 1982 meeting she organised between Beuys and the Dalai Lama, which later led to her major project ‘Art meets Science and Spirituality in a changing Economy’ (1990). This project, which made headlines worldwide and was broadcast on television in 52 countries, is now being presented in its entirety for the first time.
Louwrien Wijers’ work has been exhibited at Witte de With (Rotterdam), BOZAR (Brussels), the Venice Biennale and various Dutch museums and galleries. The exhibition at the Fries Museum is her first solo museum presentation.
GERRIT BENNER prize
Louwrien Wijers has been awarded the GERRIT BENNER Prize 2025. This biennial visual arts prize was established in 2003 by the Provincial Council of Fryslân. An independent jury, appointed by the Province of Fryslân and supervised by Keunstwurk, selects the winner. To mark the occasion, the Fries Museum is presenting a special exhibition celebrating Wijers’ work. The jury, comprising Judith Spijksma, Sjoerd Kloosterhuis, Titus Nouwens and Marianna van der Zwaag, commended Wijers for her ‘earnest reflection on creativity, collaboration and community’. The prize will be awarded at the Fries Museum on Saturday 29 November.
The biennial GERRIT BENNER Prize for Visual Arts was established in 2003 by the Provincial Council of Fryslân. The award is presented on behalf of the Province of Fryslân by Keunstwurk and the Fries Museum.
The Fries Museum is co-financed by Windpark Fryslân, the Province of Fryslân, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the VriendenLoterij, the Ir. Abe Bonnema Foundation and the Friends of the Fries Museum.