Exile on Main St. is the title of an exhibition of American art. Ever since the sixties, it has had connotations of sensationalism and commercialism. Pop Art, in particular, appears to fit this image and has lent a great deal of weight to the term ‘mainstream’. Yet an opposing force of artists emerged who presented themselves as artists’ artists rather than mediagenic darlings of the market and the art trade. Within this headstrong, very soloist group of artists, a figurative tendency in painting manifested itself, which took less notice of the official rules of the game.

More than 200 works on display on the entire second floor of the Bonnefantenmuseum

The core of the exhibition consists of works by Peter Saul, Steve Gianakos, Joe Zucker and John Tweddle, in dialogue with two ‘fathers of the idea’: William Copley and H.C. Westermann. They are supported by Richard Artschwager and John Wesley. In contrast to the artists mentioned above, the two latter artists are represented only by single works. And a special place is given to Alfred Jensen, as the exception among exceptions.

The title of the exhibition Exile on Main St. refers to a double LP by the Rolling Stones from the early seventies. It was recorded in the basement of a holiday home rather than in a studio, and is regarded as the best Stones album ever. The sound is not perfect, but this makes the intensity come across even more strongly. The same applies, in fact, to the work of the nine artists in the exhibition.