Self Portrait 2001 | Joyce Saunderson (USA, 1963) | Acrylics, cloth on canvas Joyce Saunderson moved to Islamabad from Tucson, Arizona in 1999 to marry Ahmed Bashir, the love of her life. She quickly realized that to adapt, she would have to give up certain freedoms as she knew them. Joyce’s upbringing included art classes and she used these to externalize her internal conflicts. “Just before September 11th,” she tells Joanna Harkov, “I was struggling with my conversion to islam and especially Sura 33:53-54, which is used as the justification for wearing a face veil. I disagreed with the interpretation, but it was useless to object, really. I didn’t want to leave my husband or Pakistan, so I had to find a way to deal with this.” “You can look underneath the veil, if you want. That was essential to me, somehow. I was able to live with the idea that I would be mostly covered, as long as there was something ephemeral, something temporary about the covering. My husband didn’t object and I kept it in the house." "The situation in the country got steadily worse though, and eventually we left for America. On the plane, I took off my veil. My husband said: ‘When in Rome...’ and that was the end of it.” Joyce gave the painting to Joanna after meeting her in New Hampshire in 2012.

Who says you can't eat your pets? For all you microbe lovers out there: the Waag Society is opening a new Pet Shop Food Bar on Thursday the 3rd of November. They have a sweet new spot in the center of Amsterdam, near the Waterlooplein. Drop by the opening eve for some homemade wine and tasty microbial treats. Where: Houtkopersdwarsstraat 6, Amsterdam When: 3rd of November from 17:30 Entrance is free, just RSVP with Meetup via their website.

https://www.facebook.com/events/569984013186367/

The first ever Microlympics are being held at the Petshop (at Schatjes) the next two weeks, come by the gallery this afternoon (from 18:00) for a beer, let the games begin! Big thanks to Motherboard Nederland and Waag Society!

Microbes as pets. Awesome or just pretty nice? Nachtbrakers gives their perspective on the Waag's Red Light Pet Shop hosted this month at Schatjes, have a read and come by the Oudezijds Voorburgwal 119 to check out some cute micropets!

Schatjes Gallery and Waag Society cordially invite you to attend the opening of the Red Light Pet Shop, the first pop-up microbial pet shop in Amsterdam. Come and admire our funky collection of microscopic pets, and who knows? You might take one home with you!

We are extending Roeland Verhallen | Photography's exhibition for one final weekend: this Friday thru Sunday, between 11:00 and 18:00 – come by for your final chance to see his photography! www.instagram.com/roeland.verhallen www.roelandverhallen.com

The exhibition "il faut que je sois" remains on display until 30 June. Open from Friday thru Sunday, between 11:00 and 18:00, or by appointment! More work at www.roelandverhallen.com FB: www.fb.com/roelandverhallenphotography Instagram: www.instagram.com/roeland.verhallen

TODAY IS THE DAY! Come by between 16.00 and 20.00 to soak up some beautiful photography by Roeland Verhallen | Photography !

www.facebook.com/events/1245919328755123/ www.roelandverhallen.com

STARTING TODAY (though the Grand Opening is on 21/5, see below): our new photography exhibition by Roeland Verhallen, "il faut que je sois." We're open from 14.00 till ~20.00! https://www.facebook.com/events/1245919328755123/