Esther Tielemans

Some recent solo exhibitions
Kunstverein Leverkusen, 2010, 'Adventures in Geometry'
Zurcher Studio, New York 2010, 'Anything goes'
Galerie Akinci, Amsterdam 2008, '(Re)appear'
Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven 2007-08, 'Acting' (with Lily van der Stokker)

Some recent group exhibitions
Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, 2008, 'Skylines'
Centre d'art contemporain, Meymac 2005, '(...) et le canard etait toujours vivant'
De Appel, Amsterdam 2005, 'Prix de Rome 2005'

Selected publications
Marianne Brouwer [et al.], De Collectie 1985-2009, Amsterdam: SKOR 2010
Charles Esche [et al.], Plug in to Play, Eindhoven: Van Abbemuseum 2009
Arjan Reinders, Mise-en scène, Amsterdam: Galerie Akinci 2005

Selected public and corporate collections
Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven, NL • Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, NL • Fries Museum, Leeuwarden, NL • Stadsgallerij Heerlen, NL • Abn Amro Kunststichting, NL • Aegon kunstcollectie, NL • Akzo Nobel Art Foundation, NL • Achmea Kunstcollectie, NL • Rabo Kunstcollectie, NL • Stichting Océ Kunstbezit, NL

Esther Tielemans paints 'idyllic' landscapes, that make us think of paradise but at the same time let us guess the contrary. Black areas, grey spots and ominous shadows contrast colourful and voluptuous landscapes where vegetation grows in abundance. The works can have monumental dimensions: reaching to the edges of the wall or as floor and corner constructions. The experience of space and architecture plays a role in the construction and is apparent in the depiction of interiors with views through to the painted landscape, screens and 'paintings in paintings'. Tielemans's work offers the public a theatrical confrontation. Tielemans seduces also by the materials she uses: on top of acrylic paint she splashes epoxy and thick layers of lacquer paint, which make the surface smooth and shiny. Instead of canvas she uses multiplex as support. These object-like paintings made on and with industrial materials seem to float in the space. In her works several worlds meet: figurative and organic elements meet the abstract, almost brutal strokes and stripes, gentle painterly elements contrast with graphic elements, natural elements oppose the artificial.

Esther Tielemans was resident artist at the Rijksakademie in 2001-2002.
She won the Koninklijke Subsidie voor Vrije Schilderkunst (NL) in 2002 and the basic prize of the 2005 Prix de Rome (NL).

www.esthertielemans.com