Published with an exhibition at Kunsthal KAdE in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, ‘Abrasive Paradise’ features 24 artists who examine the current state of our society. Modernism in the 20th century dreamed of achieving a vision of a makeable society, an “earthly paradise”. Now we are facing a world full of lurking dangers and hidden disasters due to climate change, the direct result of humans’ invasive behaviour in the natural order. Through installations and paintings – including wor...

In her work, Mella Jaarsma reflects on her daily surroundings, exploring the layers of society and the ways in which we relate to the world and each other. Through costumes, installations, and performances, she delves into her own dual cultural background and offers a critical perspective on culture, identity, ideology, and power. By collaborating with diverse communities, primarily in Indonesia but also elsewhere, she brings a focus on forms of cultural and racial diversity embedded within c...