Rembrandt is counting money

What happens when children act completely like adults for a moment? In Josefin Arnell's films and installations, we get a surprising, sometimes funny, sometimes painful glimpse. At a festively set table, children reenact the hustle and bustle of the adult world: stress about work, appearance, money, and even puppies.

Look closely, because the table is more than just a backdrop. An hourglass, gleaming plates with fish, and empty glasses reference centuries-old still lifes and vanitas paintings. They remind us how fragile and fleeting life is.

Among the details on the table, surprising symbols also emerge that raise questions about the female body and power. Which will you discover?

Arnell plays with the idea of adultification: children who are forced to grow up far too early. Sometimes they are expected to bear emotions and responsibilities completely inappropriate for their age. This creates pressure, confusion, and a touch of humor—but also raises serious questions about how we deal with youth and adulthood.

Josefin Arnell (Ljusnedal, 1984) is a Swedish artist and filmmaker living and working in Amsterdam. She studied at the Sandberg Institute and was a resident at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten. In her films, installations, and drawings, she repeatedly explores the boundaries between reality and imagination.