Tilda Swinton’s “Ongoing” Exhibit Honors Work with Queer Collaborators Jarman, Almodóvar, and Guadagnino

Tilda Swinton, renowned for her boundary-defying performances and avant-garde sensibility, is the subject of an unprecedented retrospective at the Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam this autumn. Titled "Ongoing," the exhibition foregrounds Swinton’s artistic journey and the enduring influence of queer creative partnerships that have shaped her career and, in turn, contemporary cinema and culture. Notably, Swinton’s collaborations with Derek Jarman, Pedro Almodóvar, and Luca Guadagnino—each a queer trailblazer—anchor the exhibit’s narrative, affirming the profound impact of queer voices in the arts .

Swinton’s curatorial vision for "Ongoing" is as personal as it is political. In her own words, the exhibition represents “the mechanics of my working practice over the past forty years” and celebrates “the close fellowships I found from the very first and continue to rely upon to this day” . The show consists of eight major works, each a testament to creative intimacy and shared artistic ambition.

Among these, an especially poignant inclusion is the never-before-seen archival material from the late filmmaker Derek Jarman, whose mentorship and artistic vision were pivotal to Swinton’s emergence as a cinematic force. Jarman, a celebrated gay artist and activist, cast Swinton in her film debut in "Caravaggio" (1986), igniting a lifelong partnership that challenged the conventions of British film and foregrounded queer aesthetics .

The exhibition also features new collaborative works with Pedro Almodóvar and Luca Guadagnino, both directors whose films have become touchstones of queer cinema. Almodóvar, the Spanish auteur, is known for his vivid explorations of gender, sexuality, and desire—his partnership with Swinton represents a meeting of two bold, uncompromising artistic minds. Similarly, Luca Guadagnino, whose films like "Call Me By Your Name" have helped redefine queer representation on screen, has worked with Swinton on multiple projects, each marked by emotional intensity and visual poetry .

In "Ongoing," these collaborations manifest as new works created specifically for the exhibition. Swinton’s agency as performer and co-author is foregrounded, challenging the traditional hierarchy of director and actor, and instead highlighting the generative potential of queer fellowship .

While cinema is central, "Ongoing" expands Swinton’s creative universe to encompass fashion and photography. The exhibition includes a performance and installation developed with fashion historian Olivier Saillard, drawing from Swinton’s personal archive and exploring the intersections of style, identity, and memory—a thematic current resonant with the fluidity and self-expression of queer fashion history .

Photography also plays a significant role, with British photographer Tim Walker presenting a series of fantastical portraits of Swinton, including a special shoot at her ancestral Scottish home. These images, some inspired by queer artistic traditions and Swinton’s own family history, will be exhibited alongside a Super8 film shot during one of their sessions, offering an intimate window into the collaborative process .

For the queer community, "Ongoing" is more than an exhibition—it is a celebration of queer resilience, creativity, and kinship. Derek Jarman’s legacy as a pioneering gay filmmaker and activist is honored not only in the archival footage but also in the ethos of the entire show, which foregrounds chosen family and the radical act of collaboration .

Swinton’s relationships with Almodóvar and Guadagnino exemplify the power of queer artists to create work that is not only beautiful but transformative, challenging audiences to see the world—and themselves—anew. By centering queer voices and stories, the exhibit stands as an act of pride and visibility in a global cultural landscape still marked by struggles for recognition and equity.

"Tilda Swinton – Ongoing" opens September 28, 2025, and runs through February 8, 2026. The exhibition is accompanied by a robust program of film screenings, artist talks, and community events, further inviting dialogue around queer artistry and collaboration .

Visitors can expect to encounter:

- Original works and archival materials spanning Swinton’s career
- Collaborations with queer filmmakers and artists
- Installations exploring fashion, identity, and personal history
- Special screenings and conversations with Swinton and her collaborators

The Eye Filmmuseum’s commitment to inclusivity and artistic innovation makes it an ideal venue for this landmark event, which promises to draw audiences from across Europe and beyond.