For the first time, ARTIS invites a guest curator to create a new exhibition in ARTIS-Groote Museum. Humberto Tan was allowed to enter the closed depot of ARTIS for this purpose. For the exhibition ‘Through the eyes of’, Humberto combines objects from the natural history collection of ARTIS with personal work. He shares his perspective on nature, from July 5 in the Groote Museum.

Nature in South America and closer

ARTIS has invited Humberto to curate an exhibition because of his great enthusiasm for and connection with nature. He shows his perspective on South America and Suriname in the West Hall of the Groote Museum. Humberto Tan: “My focus is on animals from South America, with a slight emphasis on Suriname. The Amazon rainforest in South America forms the lungs of our existence and Suriname, with 93% forest cover, is the most forested country in the world.ˮ In the depot, Humberto’s eye fell on morpho butterflies, the nine-banded armadillo and a spectacled caiman, among others. Humberto combines these stuffed animals with his photography of the continent, including a series of macaws.

In the East Hall of the museum, Humberto gives his perspective on the Netherlands, because “you will also find beautiful worlds full of beautiful nature close to home,” he says. With this exhibition, ARTIS wants to give attention to Humberto’s wonder and knowledge about nature, and to inspire visitors with it.

‘Through the eyes of’, July 5 to September 29, 2024, ARTIS-Groote Museum, Artisplein