Bonnefanten collected six out of fifteen Hortisculptures and thus has the largest collection of works by Ferdi. Unfortunately, the sculptures have been in moderate to poor condition for quite some time. In 2018, SRAL fully restored the Damsel Dragonfly (1967). In 2021, the Bonnefanten had two other Hortisculptures cleaned, after which it decided that it was due time for a thorough restoration of the entire collection.

Ferdi (1927 Arnhem - Baarlo 1969) was born as Ferdina Jansen in 1927 in Arnhem. A free-spirited young woman, she dropped her surname after the Second World War and exchanged the Netherlands for London and Paris.

Ferdi has a striking appearance and an engaging personality. In Paris, she soon finds herself in the company of Cobra painters and Vijftigers such as Karel Appel and Hugo Claus. She took lessons from the famous sculptor Ossip Zadkine and taught herself welding. She had success with jewellery made of iron, mostly inspired by insects.

In the spring of 1968, Ferdi exhibited her sculptures in a solo exhibition in the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. In early 1969, Ferdi died unexpectedly and it became quiet around her work. This only changed when female art historians began to focus on the forgotten oeuvres of female artists at the end of the 1980s.

Now, more than 40 years later, you can follow the restoration of her extraordinary oeuvre live in Bonnefanten. Come and have a look at the live restoring in weeks 42, 43, 44, 1 and 2!