Antique Pink is a tribute to LGBTQIA+ elderly. Thanks to the emancipation struggle of the generations before us, LGBTQIA+ people in the Netherlands are almost equal before the law. But that acquired freedom is fragile, and the progress made will not automatically endure.
There is still discrimination and violence against LGBTQIA+ people. Even in 2022, not everyone accepts that love, gender, and sex are fluid. LGBTQIA+ individuals who have struggled for visibility and acceptance throughout their adult lives have been known to sometimes disappear back into the closet once they end up in a care home where they can’t choose who they live with.
It is important — while we still can — to reflect on the rich life experiences of the generations before us. I wanted to capture and share those experiences.
Learning more about this diverse group of people over the age of 70 was a beautiful and interesting journey. Every encounter was enriching — so many moving, happy, inspiring, stunning, crushing, sad, powerful, and sometimes heart-breaking stories were told. Producing this series has made me, as a gay man, even more aware of the strong and courageous shoulders we stand on.
As the creator and producer of Antique Pink, I would like to give a huge thanks to all the fabulous heroes I was allowed to portray and interview. You are seen and your experiences are shared. You are a true source of inspiration for future generations. Because of you there is visibility, and visibility is essential for acceptance.
This is a selection out of the 30 portraits made for this project.
Artist Bios
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Ernst Coppejans
Ernst Coppejans is an artist and photographer dedicated to shedding light on societal complexities through his lens. As a gay man, his work reflects personal resonance, capturing the beauty and diversity of our world while addressing discrimination and prejudice. His portraits radiate authenticity, sparking empathetic conversations and inspiring positive change. With a talent for storytelling, Coppejans aims to challenge norms and advocate for marginalized communities through the power of imagery.
Organizations
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The Open Mind Foundation
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Photoville
Founded in 2011 in Brooklyn, NY, Photoville was built on the principles of addressing cultural equity and inclusion, which we are always striving for, by ensuring that the artists we exhibit are diverse in gender, class, and race.
In pursuit of its mission, Photoville produces an annual, city-wide open air photography festival in New York City, a wide range of free educational community initiatives, and a nationwide program of public art exhibitions.
By activating public spaces, amplifying visual storytellers, and creating unique and highly innovative exhibition and programming environments, we join the cause of nurturing a new lens of representation.
Through creative partnerships with festivals, city agencies, and other nonprofit organizations, Photoville offers visual storytellers, educators, and students financial support, mentorship, and promotional & production resources, on a range of exhibition opportunities.
For more information about Photoville visit, www.photoville.com
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NYC Parks
NYC Parks is the steward of more than 30,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 65 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 600,000 street trees, and two million more in parks. We are New York City’s principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.
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Dutch Culture USA
Dutch arts, culture, and shared cultural heritage are represented in the U.S. through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington, DC, and the Consulates General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Francisco. The headquarters for cultural services is the Press and Cultural Affairs Department of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New York.
FUTURE 400, a 2024/2025 initiative of the Netherlands Consulate General in New York, endeavors to honor 400 years of Dutch-New York history with honesty and integrity, creating space for others who share this common heritage to voice their feelings and experiences at this monumental moment. Partners from cultural to commercial fields, from the New York area to the Netherlands will come together to create new work and new opportunities that will continue to write the next chapter of our shared story, our collective…FUTURE 400. More information: www.dutchcultureusa.com
Antique Pink
Featuring: Ernst Coppejans
Curated by: Ernst Coppejans
Locations
View Location Details Old Fulton Street and Prospect StreetOld Fulton Street and Prospect Street
DUMBO, Brooklyn 11201
This location is part of Brooklyn Bridge Park
Explore other locations and exhibitions nearby
Location open 24 hours
In collaboration with the Open Mind Foundation, these portraits and stories have been crafted into a magazine as well as a multimedia exhibition that travels through the Netherlands. Antique Pink is included in the collection of the Amsterdam City Archives because these stories are part of our cultural heritage.
