Kees van de Wal
Kees van de Wal (born in 1967 in Oirschot) is a Dutch visual artist who lives and works in Zaltbommel. He is inspired by form, color, and material and fits into a line of artists who strive for poetic tranquility. His work deliberately distances itself from spectacle, inviting silence, attention, and contemplation. This approach is becoming increasingly relevant in a visually overstimulated world.
Van de Wal studied at the Grafisch Lyceum Eindhoven and later took various courses in drawing, painting, and etching. Between 2009 and 2016, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Arendonk (Belgium), where he completed his painting studies with honors and subsequently obtained a specialization degree with high distinction.
His work began with paintings inspired by tranquil, expansive landscapes, but quickly developed into an abstract, minimalist visual language. Since around 2016, he has also been creating wall objects, initially mainly from XPS and, since 2022, from cardboard from old packaging boxes. The material, with its fold lines and damage, challenges him to discover new forms. This ‘poor’ material, treated with surprising color tones and interventions, takes on a new, autonomous character in his hands, modest and informal. Van de Wals’ approach is in line with the heritage of minimalism, the honesty of the use of materials from arte povera, and the silence of concrete art.
Van de Wal’s work does not refer to the world outside the object; it is the world, the world of the artist. In an age of excess, Van de Wal’s work offers a place for peace, attention, and contemplation.
Van de Wal regularly exhibits his work at home and abroad. For many years, he has actively participated in open studio tours in his hometown and is the initiator of Kunstrondje Zaltbommel, a walking tour of studios and galleries in his hometown.
Born in Oirschot, 1967. Lives and works in Zaltbommel.
EDUCATION
2014 - 2016
Specialization degree Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts, Arendonk, passed with a Great distinction.
2009 - 2014
Academy of Fine Arts, Arendonk, Painting, passed with honorable mention;
1990 - 2000
various courses: drawing / painting / etching / model drawing;
1983 - 1987
Graphic Lyceum Eindhoven, aesthetic design;
EXHIBITIONS
2025
Amelie du Chalard Gallery, group, New York
Art The Hague, solo presentation (represented by Marieke Severens Gallery and WTC The Hague Art Gallery), art fair
Gallery 50PK, Ede, group, The Netherlands
North Sea Jazz Art festival, (represented by WTC The Hague Art Gallery), art fair
KunstRAI, (represented by WTC The Hague Art Gallery), art fair, Amsterdam
Art on Paper (represented by Marieke Severens Gallery), art fair, Amsterdam
2024
Gallery Amélie Maison d’Art, duo, Paris
Artroom Schroth – Museum Wilhelm Morgner, Soest, group, Germany
Marieke Severens Gallery, Maastricht, group, The Netherlands
57W57Arts, group, New York, US
FORM-COLOR-SPACE Abstraction in the Netherlands, group exhibition, Galerie De Gehoorzaal, Den Dolder, Netherlands
2023 - 2022
Poubelle Sereen, group exhibition, Art Chapel, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Geen Worden , group exhibition, Galerie PLAY room, Zaandam, the Netherlands
Untitled, duo exhibition, Galerie Agnes Raben, Vorden, the Netherland
Hard edge soft cell group exhibition, ZEIT Art space, Antwerp, Belgium
2022 - 2021
The forgotten envelope, solo exhibition, Galerie Van Caelenberg, Aalst, Belgium;
In woord en daad, group exhibition, Galerie PLAY room, Zaandam, the Netherlands;
An expanding field, group exhibition, Gloam Gallery, Sheffield, United Kingdom;
2021 - 2020
Eind goed, al goed, group exhibition, Galerie PLAY room, Zaandam, the Netherlands;
Vorming, solo exhibition, Galerie Agens Raben, Vorden, the Netherlands;
Museu offline, group exhibition, Kunstlokaal No.8, Jubbega, the Netherlands;
Natuur [+] structuur, group exhibition, Galerie De Kunstpraktijk, Veldhoven, the Netherlands;
Orbit, group exhibition, Poimena Gallery, Tasmanie;
TZT057, duo exhibition, Gallery Bos Fine Art, The Hague, the Netherlands
2020 - 2018
No such thing as a straight line, group exhibition, Antwerpen, Belgium;
Vorm en vrijheid, duo exhibition, Kunstlokaal No.8, Jubbega, the Netherlands
2018 - 2015
Voorbij het landschap, solo exhibition, GalleryMikstmedia,Woudrichem, the Netherlands;
Improvisaties op wind water wad, group exhibition, Museum Belvedère, Heerenveen; the Netherlands
Verstilling, duo exhibition, GalleryJenne Renes, Utrecht, the Netherlands;
Voorbij het landschap, solo exhibition, Kunsthuis LOOF, Jubbega, the Netherlands
