MONIQUE VAN HAASTEREN
"Etching makes me feel like a modern alchemist;
turning a simple metal plate into
something wonderfully different."
I have a lifelong fascination with megalithic sites. I love the mystery and unexplained about these great stones, often found in the most beautiful places. Combined with a deep love for walking the landscapes of Ireland, Scotland and England, this slight obsession is also a great reason for travelling. When I visit these magical places, I feel connected with them; their untold stories, their past and their place in the landscape.
I believe everything (and everyone) in life is connected through invisible processes, which I try to visualize in my art. My landscapes have different layers; visible and hidden worlds. They are mindscapes: coming from within rather than from outside, they represent what I sense and can not explain.
Printmaking is magical. Printmaking to me means being open to chance, to unexpected changes and embracing them. Etching makes me feel like a modern alchemist; turning a simple metal plate into something wonderfully different. I love the contrast of the deepest, richest blacks on the bright whites of the printing paper. Using subtle colours which reflect my love for the natural world, I often combine my prints with embossing to emphasize the beauty of the paper. Etching is a labour of love, but one I’m completely in love with.
Education
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Willem de Kooning Academy Rotterdam : Printmaking and drawing 1985-1990
(Teachers: Kees Spermon, Hans Andringa, Joop van Meel, Klaas Gubbels) -
National College of Art & Design, Dublin: Printmaking FA, 1989, 1990-1991
(Teachers: John Kelly, Brett McEntaggart, Andrew Folan) -
ArtEz Arnhem: BA Art Tutor 2004-2006
Awards
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Gill & Macmillan Prize, 2cnd Irish Miniprint Exhibition
Exhibitions
I've had exhibitions since 1988, so the list is long. I'm not a fan of long lists, so here's a selection of the most recent ones plus a few highlights.
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11th International Graphic Triennal, Bitola Macedonia 2024
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Grafik Börse, Borken Germany 2023
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International Biennale of Graphic Arts, Tirana Albania 2022
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International Print Mail Art, Amsterdam
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19th AAmA International Contemporary Art Exhibition 2022/2023
Hangzhou China, Buenos Aires Argentina, Milan Italy
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Novene, K17 Leeuwarden 2021
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Contact in Coronatijden, Grafiekplatform, Amsterdam 2020/2021
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Kunstkerkje Velp, 2019
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Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin
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Triskel Art Centre, Cork
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Butler Gallery, Kilkenny
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Riverrun Gallery, Limerick
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Voerman Museum, Hattem
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Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden
Work in collections:
Councils of Leiden, Nijmegen, Arnhem, Dublin, Heumen, Business Art Service, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
I'm a member of the Dutch Printmakers Guild: Grafiekplatform