With 'You Don’t Look Sick', Jasmijn Vermeeren presents her first institutional solo exhibition at FOAM Amsterdam (Foam 3h). From a deeply personal perspective, the artist sheds light on living with an invisible disability – a topic that often remains underrepresented in current discussions around diversity and inclusion.
The works on view – including photographic self-portraits, video pieces and sculptural works – revolve around Vermeeren’s own experiences with chronic pain, as well as societal assumptions surrounding health, functionality and identity. Fragmented faces, layered bodies and fragile, almost translucent sculptures visualize the tension between external perception and inner reality. The images appear both vulnerable and resolute, positioning themselves as a conscious counterpoint to normative ideas of “being healthy.”
'You Don’t Look Sick' invites visitors to step into Vermeeren’s everyday reality and enter a space where vulnerability, emotion and self-reflection are explicitly welcomed. The exhibition creates intimacy and understanding while opening up new perspectives on what it truly means to be oneself.
The exhibition is realized as part of the Florentine Riem Vis Stipendium, of which Jasmijn Vermeeren is the ninth recipient. Established in memory of Florentine Riem Vis (1959–2016), the stipend supports young artists each year in further developing their artistic practice. Previous recipients include Sarah Amrani, Steffi Reimers, Bebe Blanco Agterberg, Karolina Wojtas, Gilleam Trapenberg, Solène Gün, Rebecca Sampson and Stefanie Moshammer.
On view until 25 May 2025 foam.org