Untitled (Sword Dance) (2017)

Part of the GOGBOT x Rijksmuseum Twenthe exhibition Democracy Now?, running from September 17, 2026, through February 14, 2027. The exhibition is free to visit during GOGBOT Festival, reserve your free ticket.

This work is part of a series responding to striking moments of international politics. Erik takes a well-known news photograph of Trump participating in a traditional Saudi sword dance alongside King Salman, and transforms it into an oracle that reveals the true facade of political leaders. A grotesque and uncomfortable scene of the theater of politics.

Erik van Lieshout is a Dutch visual artist, who has exhibit internationally, and represented the Netherlands at the Venice Biennal. He explores contemporary sociopolitical issues such as multiculturalism, right-wing politics, minorities, outsiders and consumer society across drawing, painting, video, and installation, using humor and confrontation.