Everything is True - Nothing is Permitted | Brutus Rotterdam

FROM 8 MARCH–15 JUNE 2025 | Brutus Rotterdam hosts ‘Everything is True – Nothing is Permitted,’ an exhibition challenging social and political norms through provocative art. Curated by Kendell Geers, the show features works from over 80 international artists, exploring censorship, resistance, and the power of art as protest.

_{Image: La Sombra (The Shadow) 2017 (Still). Photo credit: Regina José Galindo}

A radical exploration of art and politics

From 8 March to 15 June 2025, Brutus Rotterdam presents Everything is True – Nothing is Permitted, an exhibition that brings together artists whose work defies conventions, questions authority, and confronts censorship. Curated by South African artist and activist Kendell Geers, the show features over 80 international artists, including Marina Abramović, Andres Serrano, Gilbert & George, Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova, and Santiago Sierra.

The exhibition highlights the role of art as a form of protest and resistance. It explores themes such as police violence, racism, beauty standards, inequality, and capitalism’s impact on artistic expression. Many participating artists have faced persecution, censorship, or imprisonment due to their work.

Art beyond the gallery space

Rather than presenting works in a traditional museum setting, Everything is True – Nothing is Permitted embraces Brutus' raw, industrial atmosphere. Artworks are printed directly onto distressed walls, with peeling paint and rust stains forming part of the exhibition’s aesthetic. This unconventional approach recalls early 20th-century avant-garde movements such as Dadaism and Surrealism, which rejected mainstream artistic norms.

Challenging perceptions in a post-truth world

The exhibition examines the blurred lines between activism and terrorism, freedom and control, truth and manipulation. Works such as Piss Christ by Andres Serrano and David Wojnarowicz’s Silence = Death challenge conventional narratives and demand reflection on contemporary social issues. Other pieces draw from historical events, including the Capitol riot, the murder of George Floyd, and the 9/11 attacks, encouraging visitors to question how media and politics shape public perception.

Live performances and interactive elements

A significant aspect of the exhibition is its focus on performance art. Fifteen live performances will take place, including new works created specifically for the show by Mandy El-Sayegh and Regina José Galindo. Through photography, video, installation, and live actions, the exhibition underscores the human body as both a subject and a medium of resistance.

Works from the A/POLITICAL collection

Several pieces in the exhibition come from the London-based A/POLITICAL collection, an organisation supporting artists who struggle to find platforms due to the controversial nature of their work. A/POLITICAL has previously collaborated with figures such as Santiago Sierra and Bruce LaBruce and played a role in advocating for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s release.

About the curator: Kendell Geers

Kendell Geers, born in apartheid-era South Africa, has long explored themes of identity, resistance, and power dynamics in his work. His artistic career began as an anti-apartheid activist, and his experiences in exile shaped his approach to art as a tool for challenging authority. Geers has previously exhibited at major international events such as Documenta 11 and the Johannesburg Biennale.

About Brutus Rotterdam

Brutus is an artist-driven space located in Rotterdam’s M4H district, offering creators the freedom to experiment with various media. Established by artist Joep van Lieshout, Brutus is not a conventional museum but a space where art, sculpture, performance, and video installation converge. It spans 6,000 square metres and includes a sculpture garden, residency programmes, and the annual Brutus Prize.

Practical information

The exhibition runs from 8 March to 15 June 2025 at Brutus Space, Rotterdam.
Location: Keileweg 10, 3029 BS, Rotterdam
Opening hours: Thursday to Sunday, 12:00 – 18:00
Admission: €10 / CJP & Rotterdampas €5 / We Are Public & Museumkaart free
Age restriction: Visitors must be 18+
For more details, visit Brutus.nl.