Esther Janssen
B.1976 Based in Maastricht, Netherlands
Introduction
Dutch artist Esther Janssen examines themes of extreme cultivation, alienation and the conflicting psychology of our most profound spatial needs. She takes our familiar Western standardised environment as her subject and makes it unfamiliar, radiant, enchanting, yet permeated with a subcutaneous threat. Janssen uses artificial leather to create her works, which she paints over, cuts out and sews into elaborate scenes that represent lush yet strictly ordered neighbourhoods and gardens.
Education
2000 BFA, Design Academy Eindhoven, Eindhoven, Netherlands
Solo Exhibitions
2021
Silence, Unit, London, UK
2019
A Potential Disaster, LABOR Projektgalerie, Cologne, Germany
2016
Chroma Key, Alex 51 Gallery, Maastricht, Netherlands
2013
Exreme Makeover, Alex 51, Maastricht, Netherlands
2012
Esther Janssen, Museum Helmond, Helmond, Netherlands
2010
Swell, Cookie Snoei, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2008
Esther Janssen, Sergio Tossi Arte Contemporanea, Florence, Italy
2007
Esther Janssen, DSM Kunstcollectie, Heerlen, Netherlands
2004
Modelworld, Homeworks, Maastricht, Netherlands
Group Exhibitions
2023
ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair, Unit, Shanghai, China
Art Tokyo, Unit, Tokyo, Japan
2022
Playground of Geometry, Centre of International Contemporary Art Vancouver (CICA), Vancouver, Canada
2021
The Artsy Vanguard, Miami Art Week, Miami, Florida, USA
2020
Limburg Biennale, Marres Center for Contemporary Art, Maastricht, Netherlands
F R E Q U E N C Y, Philipp von Rosen Galerie, Cologne, Germany
2017
In het land van Maas en IJ, Provinciehuis, Haarlem, Netherlands
Conversations #1, Buitenplaats, Wijlre, Netherlands
2016
Bronsgroen Eikenhout, Bureau Europa, Maastricht, Netherlands
2014
Chamber Collection no. 1, Chamber Gallery, New York, USA
It’s a Miracle!, Anton Beeke and 10 of his students, Piet Hein Eek Gallery, Eindhoven, Netherlands
2012
Jongeren als curator, Purmerends Museum, Purmerend, Netherlands
Art Rotterdam, Cookie Snoei Gallery, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2011
Changing Places, Van Kranendonk Gallery, The Hague, Netherlands
2010
Art Basel, Cookie Snoei Gallery, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2009
Art Rotterdam, Cookie Snoei Gallery, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2008
The Digital View 620, Arti et Amicitiae, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Art Rotterdam, Cookie Snoei Gallery, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Art Athina, Cookie Snoei Gallery, Athens, Greece
2007
Muskee, Waterschoot, Tollens, Janssen: It’s a Sex Issue, Flatland Gallery, Utrecht, Netherlands
2006
Art Cologne, Cookie Snoei Gallery, Cologne, Germany
Welkom in Hedonia, Artotheek Rotterdam / (CBK), Rotterdam, Netherlands
Met Stip, GEM, Municipal Museum, The Hague, Netherlands
Art Rotterdam, Cookie Snoei Gallery, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2005
Opacity, Cookie Snoei Gallery, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2003
SMLXL, Galerie MAMA, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Selected Press
2020
July ‘Living in times of the Virus’, Strapazin
2018
September ‘Limburgse kunst in Haarlems provinciehuis’, Haarlems Dagblad
2017
‘Verstikkende droomhuizen als inspiratie’, Dagblad De Limburger
August ‘Buitenplaats #3 Wijlre‘, MetropolisM
2016
‘Een anti-utopie van skai en papier’, De Limburger
March ‘Chroma Key’, Esther Janssen Catalogue, Alex 51 Gallery
2014
September ‘Chamber Collection No. 1′, Catalogues Chamber Gallery, New York
2012
‘Een triest maar noodzakelijk’, Eindhovens Dagblad
‘Swell’, tentoonstelling informatie, NRC
2008
‘Esther Janssen’, Evergreen&Mistyrose, Catalogue
‘Esther Janssen Sognando Mistyrose’, Arte
2007
‘Over lust, verlies van onschuld, verlangen, religie en rollenpatronen’, Kunstbeeld no.11
2005
‘Esther Janssen’, Kunstbeeld
‘Bordkartonnen geluk van Esther Janssen‘, AD Rotterdam
December ‘Onheilsparadijs‘, NRC Handelsblad
2004
‘De wrede modelwereld van Esther Janssen’, Dagblad de Limburger
Selected Collections
Studio Job, Private Collection, Antwerp, Belgium
Bruls architect, Private Collection, Maastricht, Netherlands
Chamber Collection, New York, USA
Municipal Museum Helmond, Helmond, Netherlands
DSM Art-Collection, Heerlen, Netherlands
Province of Limburg, Maastricht, Netherlands
The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague, Netherlands
Fine Arts Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Fine Arts Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands