Painters Alive

Christina de Korte, a multidisciplinary artist with a BA in Fine Arts from the HKU University of the Arts Utrecht and a degree in Language and Culture Studies from Utrecht University, expertly intertwines global textile traditions with deeply personal narratives. Her works transcend pure aesthetics, using intricate patterns and vibrant hues to create immersive explorations of cultural memory and identity. Drawing inspiration from the sensory richness of traditional markets, de Korte situates her audience in a liminal space where past and present, personal and collective, merge seamlessly.

Informed by her rigorous academic background and research, de Korte transforms textiles into a philosophical medium, with each thread symbolizing the fluidity of identity and the interaction of global cultural currents. Her works have earned widespread acclaim from prestigious institutions like Museum Voorlinden, praised for their ability to transcend mere decoration and delve deeply into the material and symbolic resonance of fabric. De Korte’s practice invites viewers to reflect on the narratives embedded within her textiles, connecting personal experiences to broader historical and cultural contexts. Through this unique approach, she elevates textile art into a profound commentary on the human condition, resonating on both intellectual and emotional levels.

Beppe Kessler (1952, Amsterdam) is a renowned visual artist, contemporary jewelry maker, and painter based in the Netherlands. A graduate of the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in 1979, Kessler seamlessly blends painting, sculpture, and jewelry in her work, exploring the tension between flatness and volume. Her shaped canvases, characterized by bold yet nuanced color palettes, evoke rhythm and movement, inviting contemplation. Using materials like wood, linen, and acrylic, Kessler creates tactile experiences through sight alone, while her recurring motifs of nature—such as water and wind—bring depth to her art, merging fine art and design.

Jhonie Van Boeijen's work delves deeply into the psychological and sociological dimensions of consumerism. She skillfully examines how packaging, branding, and consumer goods act as windows into personal identity, socioeconomic status, and cultural or national affiliations. Her distinctive artistic approach merges her fascination with gastronomy, nutrition, and food psychology, allowing her to explore consumerism in ways that go beyond the visual realm. In her more recent pieces, Van Boeijen focuses on the evolving patterns of consumer behavior, particularly in response to the global shifts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These works offer insightful and thought-provoking reflections on how crises can reshape purchasing habits and influence broader societal behavior.

Born in Ulm, Germany, Julia von Kienlin graduated from the Akademie für Grafische Gestaltung in Munich in 1994. Her vibrant portraits explore the intersection of digital self-expression and LGBTQ+ identity, transforming everyday selfies into bold meditations on modern identity. Drawing inspiration from social media culture, von Kienlin elevates the ordinary into the mythic, using expressive color to intensify the emotional depth of self-representation.

Her work captures the tension between curated public personas and private emotions, while surreal elements highlight the complexities of navigating identity in the digital age. Through her vivid palette, von Kienlin examines how online platforms shape and distort our understanding of the self, while honoring the fluid and evolving nature of LGBTQ+ experiences.