KARIN HOOGESTEGER

Karin Hoogesteger (1973), born in Emmeloord, The Netherlands, currently lives and works in Zutphen. After obtaining her teaching degree in drawing, Karin pursued further education at Art Academy of Fine Arts ArtEZ in Zwolle (1997). In 2015 – 2016, she spent a year as an Artist in Residence in Andalusia (Spain). She has been exhibiting solo and in groups, both in galleries, museums and at art fairs, nationally and abroad. Among these occasions are exhibitions at Rijksmuseum Twenthe (Enschede), Rademakers Gallery  (Amsterdam), and AAF (Hong Kong). Karin’s work is included in various public and private collections.

To understand the paintings of Karin Hoogesteger it is to undoubtedly sense that there lies more beneath the surface than just the images that are visible. Here is a world depicted, originating from our visible world – plants, trees, a cabin in the woods – yet beyond this, one often finds themselves in a realm more commonly encountered in dreams or myths. The paintings evoke a feeling of mystery, of melancholy. Not always light, and at times with elements that reveal seemingly different dimensions than initially perceived. This is quite understandable considering the source of inspiration. Hoogesteger approaches painting like she would philosophy: through her works she digs into the core of existence. The process matters more than the result itself.

During her stay in Spain, Karin began to paint her surroundings, influenced by the climate and bright sunlight. In Hoogesteger’s oeuvre, you can clearly see a turning point where the connection or tension between humans and nature began to take center stage. Hoogesteger’s paintings contain geometric shapes, organic plant motifs, and (sun)light as recurring elements. Most of her compositions are painted dominantly with cold colours enhanced by a bright red hue that creates a halo around her subjects. While her usual technique involves paint on canvas, Hoogesteger is not averse to using other materials. She often incorporates charcoal or pencil, (rice) paper, ink, varnish, bister, and pigment powder. Spain remains an important source of inspiration and nourishment for Hoogesteger.

Exhibitions at Galerie Nasty Alice: Art The Hague 2023 . Cultivated Nature 2023 . KunstRAI 2022 . Walpurgisnacht 2021 . Botanica 2020 . KunstRAI 2019 . Girls 2019 . Day& Night 2017 . Shuffle 2016 .