Willy Looyen

Born in 1956

the Netherlands

https://willylooyen.nl/

date of insertion in W.A.D. 06/2023

Biography

Throughout my career as an artist, I have created visual works using various media. I pursued my education at the Rietveld Academie, specializing in sculpture, and also attended the Rijksacademie, focusing on visual communication.

Following my training, I primarily delved into sculpting, producing commissioned pieces showcased in diverse galleries and museums. In 1994, I embarked on a new artistic journey, exploring the realm of installations. Working on-site provided me with an invigorating experience, allowing me to approach each new environment with an open mind and immerse myself completely within it. These installations were crafted in various locations across the Netherlands and abroad until the birth of my children altered my circumstances. Consequently, I shifted my focus to smaller-scale works, such as drawings and mixed media pieces

Now that my children have left home, I can once again dedicate myself more fully to my artistic career.

In March 2023, I held a solo exhibition at a gallery, where I not only showcased my artwork but also took charge of the design and writing for “Eye Mirror Face,” a publication featuring my works. Last May, I had the opportunity to reside in the graphic studio in Amsterdam (AGA LAB), where I worked on a series titled “De Verdedigers.” Through my recent visual work, I aim to express my profound admiration for activists that fight against different forms of oppression. Through works like “People of our Time” (2017-), “Provisional Memory of a Decade” (2020-), “Polyfone Homage” (2022), “Tribute to TMWMW” (Denis Mukwege, 2022), and “De Verdedigers” (2023I aim to show deep respect and admiration. “De Verdedigers” comprises of screen-printed portraits of human rights activists. In addition to these thematic series, I also create independent pieces, such as “Plein Passanten.”

My artistic practice encompasses a wide range of media, as I am constantly driven to experiment and challenge myself. Whether it is by creating works in unfamiliar locations or mastering new techniques and incorporating them into my art, I believe that living and creating are in constant dialogue with one another

Curriculum

OPLEIDING

 1982 – 1986         Gerrit Rietveld Academie, beeldhouwen, Amsterdam

1982 – 1983         Rijksacademie, visuele communicatie, Amsterdam

1974 – 1980         Lerarenopleiding V.L.V.U, Amsterdam

                               tweedegraad textiele werkvormen, derde graad handvaardigheid

TENTOONSTELLINGEN

Solo

2024                      Tribute to TMWMW, Arttra, Amsterdam

2223                      De vele geizichten van Willy Looyen, Arttra, Amsterdam

2010                      Croxhapox, Gent

2009                      Achter de Ramen, Amsterdam

2009                      Arttra, Amsterdam

2008                      Vertekend moment, Suzanne Biederberg Gallery, Amsterdam

2007                      Getekende dialoog CBK Zuidoost Amsterdam

2007                      Tekens, Arttra, Amsterdam

2007                      Papieren ontmoetingen, KREK, Kunstruimte, Alkmaar

2006                      Tekeningen aan huis, Amsterdam

2006                      Keer, Suzanne Biederberg Gallery, Amsterdam

2005                      Bold/Bald, Franjo studio’s, Amsterdam

1997                      Zucht, Herman Molendijk Stichting, Amersfoort

1997                      Lumen travo, Amsterdam

1995                      House of correction, M.K. expositie ruimte, Rotterdam

1995                      De verzegelde bron, Librije, Zwolle

1994                      Stiff, Kunstruimte Kampen, Kampen

1994                      Verstervingen, Mariakapel, Stichting de Achterstraat, Hoorn

1994                      Questioning our protection, Lokaal 01, Breda

1992                      Suzanne Biederberg Gallery, Amsterdam

1990                      Suzanne Biederberg Gallery, Amsterdam

TENTOONSTELLINGEN

Groeps

2023                      Nieuwe leden Arti& Amicitae

2023                      Presentatie AGA LAB, De Bouwput

2018                      Zomersalon, Reuten Galerie

2017                      Portret, Reuten Galerie

2016                      Prelude, Reuten Galerie

2014                      Affordable Art Fair, Reuten Galerie, Maastricht

2014                      Tefafparade. Reuten Galerie, Maastricht

2013                      Amsterdamse kunstkalender, Amsterdam

2012                      AmsterdamDrawing/ Reuten Galerie

2011                      Reuten Galerie, Amsterdam

2009                      Trail of Confusion, Het Glazen huis, Amstelpark

2007                      HUIS, Villa Zebra, Rotterdam

2007                      Paulo post futurum, Breda’s Museum, Breda

2007                      Lonkende licht fonteinen, De Kring, Amsterdam

2005                      PrintRoom, Hotel Mariakapel, Hoorn

1998                      Opera, Artis,’sHertogenbosch

1997                      ML and Friends, Streetvoice, Keulen

1997                      Dortmunder Kunstsupermarkt, Kunstlerhaus Dortmund

1997                      What am I doing here, Amsterdam, Keulen en Praag

1997                      De Avonden, Begane Grond, Utrecht

1996                      Sub Rosa, Plasy Monastery, Tsjechië

1994                      NY-NL-XX, Gemeentemuseum, Helmond

1994                      Caravanserail, W139, Amsterdam

1994                      Fungus, Plasy Monastery, Tsjechië

1993                      De aanraking – de huid, Gallerie Stelling, Leiden

1990                      Kunst Rai, Amsterdam

1984                      Met verve belicht, Museum Fodor, Amsterdam

RESIDENCY

2023                      Air AGA LAB, Amsterdam

2023                      Gowry art Residency, India

2007                      Glass Furnace, Istanbul, Turkye

ANDERE

2023                      Artist Talk/ presentatie uitgave OOG SPIEGEL GEZICHT, Arttra, Amsterdam

OPDRACHTEN

2008                      Getekende dialoog, Intercultureel centrum de Bloem, Amsterdam 

2008                      Getekende Diaoloog, Kunst en Koningsduin, Bergen

2007                      Getekende dialoog, CBK Zuidoost, Amsterdam 

1993                      B.K.B. opdracht, Gemeente Amsterdam

1992                      Goverwelle, schetsopdracht, Gouda

1991                      Ars memorativa, Bejaardentehuis Het Schouw, beeld in het kader

                               Van een kleinschalige opdracht van de Gemeente Amsterdam

PUBLICATIES

2007                      Papieren ontmoetingen, Noord-Hollands Dagblad

2007                      Papieren ontmoetingen, Alkmaarse Courant.

2006-                     Nancy Lobbes, Kunst in al zijn heftigheid, Dwars door de buurt

2006                      Alex de Vries, Kunst van de dag, Willy Looyen, www.galeries.nl

1996                      Stichting Kunstruimte Kampen, 47 projecten, 69 kunstenaars

1996                      Elf jaar bijzondere kunst, De Achterstraat, Hoorn

1995                      W.de Jong, Een briefje van tien met een verhaal, De Volkskrant (12-04)

1995                       W.de Jong, Maker van poëzie-tientje wil anoniem blijven, De Volkskrant (15-04)

1994                      NY-NL-XX, Gemeentemuseum, Helmond

1994                      De aanraking – de huid, Galerie Stelling, Leiden

1991                      Willy Looyen – de ziende hand, het voelend oog, Ruimte

UITGAVEN, in eigen beheer

2023                      OOG SPIEGEL GEZICHT

2010                      Haar me–moir-es, Foto’s tekeningen, collages

2008                      Getekende dialoog, tekeningenproject

2008-                     Papieren communicatie, tekeningenproject, Alkmaar 

2006                      Jij nu, nu Jij, tekeningenproject, Yamal Uchime en Willy Looyen

2006                      Keer, tekeningen

2004                      LOOS, foto’s

Stipendia en subsidies

2023                      Fonds Kwadraat

2023                      Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds

2009                      Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds

1998                      Werkbeurs, Fonds voor Beeldende Kunst, Vormgeving en Bouwkunst

1996      Basisstipendium, Fonds voor Beeldende Kunst, Vormgeving en Bouwkunst