Artworks above: Eric Fong, Tisna Westerhof, Alberto Balletti, Sumi Perera, Paul Bonomini, Anne Leigniel, Salma Hasan.
Personal Relations feature a collection of newly created miniature portrait works —each the size of a mobile phone—produced by artist members of international artist collectives.
The project is designed to foster cross-border collaboration & international understanding and explore portraiture as a form of cultural exchange.
In an era of heightened political tension, where national identities and borders are increasingly reinforced, Personal Relations seeks to create meaningful cultural bridges. Through the universal language of art, the project aims to foster unity, collaboration, and artistic excellence across borders.
Historically, miniature portraits were often exchanged as political gift between rulers and ambassadors, symbolising connection and diplomacy.
In this project, over 150 artists are invited to reinterpret this tradition for the 21st century, responding to the history of miniature portraiture while exploring the smartphone screen as today’s “portrait format”—an intimate, portable space for identity and connection.
What Art Can Do Gallery
Amsterdam
6 – 27 December 2025
Ex-Chiesetta dell’Annunziata
Este, Italy
20 May – 6 June, 2026
hARTslane Gallery
London, United Kingdom
26 September – 7 October 2026 (tbc)
The Producers
The Personal Relations project is produced by Tisna Westerhof & Cristiana Bottigella, co-founders and directors of hARTslane Gallery in South East London. In 2016 they produced Personal Relations.
Tisna is an artist member of The London Group. Cristiana is an experienced art producer, a curator and an artist mentor.
Personal Relations 2016
Discover the first edition of Personal Relations in 2016 in collaboration with The London Group (UK), Pulchri (NL) and This Is Not Art (Italy).
