Mariken Wessels

Mariken Wessels (1963, the Netherlands) creates artist’s books, photo series, film works, sculptures, and installations. Her multilayered projects interweave appropriated imagery and self-produced images to reimagine the boundaries of the public and private spheres and the role of bodily expression. Prior to her visual practice, Wessels studied acting at the Amsterdam Theater School and, after a decade-long acting career, visual arts at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy. Wessels held solo exhibitions at the Fotomuseum Antwerp (2016) and the Fotomuseum Den Haag (2017). Works from Nude – Arising from the Ground were included in the group exhibition Human After All: Ceramic Reflections in Contemporary Art at Museum Princessehof, Leeuwarden (2021). Wessels has published multiple books, amongst which Taking Off. Henry my Neighbor (Art Paper Editions, 2015), Miss Cox (Fw:Books, 2020) and Fruits of Labor (Van Zoetendaal, 2023). Her art works and artist’s books have been acquired by numerous collections around the world, such as Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam), Fotomuseum Antwerpen, Kunstmuseum Den Haag, International Center of Photography (New York), Museum of Modern Art library (New York), Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Munich), and Ampersand Foundation (Johannesburg). In 2018–2019 she worked as artist-in-residence at the European Ceramic Work Center in Oisterwijk (NL).  

Mariken Wessels is represented by The Ravestijn Gallery, Amsterdam. 

Biography

Born in Vlaardingen, The Netherlands, 1963
Raised in Breda, lives and works in Amsterdam

www.marikenwessels.com

Education

2004-2008 Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Dogtime, fine arts (Graduated)
1996-1997 Actors studio New York - The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute
1995-1996 Writers school ‘t Colofon A’dam, Writing scenario's
1990-1991 Camera/acting course with NOB
1985-1989 Theatre School Amsterdam (Graduated)

Galleries, Memberships & Selection of Bookshops

Johan Deumens Gallery 
The Ravestijn Gallery 
Kominek Gallery
Member of the ABC Artists' Books Cooperative till 2012, together with Joachim Schmidt and Elisabeth Tonnard ( info )
Artist Talks

Deichtor Hallen Im Haus der Photographie Hamburg, Germany / Kominek Gallery Berlin, Germany / Motto Distribution Berlin, Germany / Schaden.com Cologne, Germany / Dashwood Books New York, USA / Indie Photobook Library Washington, USA / International Center of Photography New York, USA / Le Bal Books Paris, France  / Photo Eye Santa Fe, USA / Libreria Martincigh, Udine , Italy / Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam, The Netherlands / Athenaeum Boekhandel The Netherlands / Buro Rietveld Amsterdam, The Netherlands / Groundmagazine, Online

Collections

FOMU - FotoMuseum provincie Antwerpen, Antwerpen, Belgium
Verbeke Foundation, Kemzeke, Belgium
Art Institute of Chicago Ryerson & Burnham Libraries, Chicago
Auraria Library, Denver, USA
Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library - Yale University, Yale, USA
Brooklyn Museum: Libraries and Archives, New York, USA
Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, USA
Getty Research Institute library, Los Angeles, USA
International Center of Photography Library, New York, USA
Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, USA
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Library, New York, USA
New York Public Library, New York, USA
Princeton University Library, Princeton, USA
Rhode Island School of Design Library, Providence, USA
SAIC - John M. Flaxman Library, Chicago, USA
Syracuse University Libraries, Syracuse, USA
Texas State University, San Marcos, USA
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Library, New York, USA
The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, USA
UC Berkeley Library, Berkeley, USA
University of California, Los Angeles, USA
Indie Photobook Library, USA
YBP Library Services, Contoocook, USA
Art collection UMC, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Erasmus Antiquariaat en Boekhandel, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Gerrit Rietveld Academie Library, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Kunstmuseum Den Haag, The Hague, Netherlands
Fotomuseum Den Haag, The Hague, Netherlands
Koninklijke Bibliotheek, National Library of The Netherlands, The Hague, The Netherlands
RKD Netherlands Institute for Art History, The Hague, The Netherlands
Special Collections Libraries, Leiden University, The Netherlands
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam Library, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Bibliothèque Kandinsky Centre Pompidou, Paris, France
Florence Loewy, Paris, France
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich, Germany
Kunstbibliothek - Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Kunst-Und Museumsbibliothek / Rheinisches Bildarchiv, Köln, Germany
Sächsische Landesbibliothek – Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte, München, Germany
Ampersand Foundation, Johannesburg, South Africa
Camberwell College of Arts London, UK
Chelsea College of Art & Design Library, London, UK
Martin Parr Collection, UK
The University of Edinburgh Library, Edinburgh, UK
University Of The Arts London, London, UK
MACBA Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain 
The San Telmo Museum, San Sebastian, Spain / as part of the Gabriela Cendoya Bergareche collection who is also the curator
Leitung Bibliotheek Albentina, Vienna, Austria
Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien, Vienna, Austria
University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
Private collections

Grants & Awards

2016 Portrait-Photography Of The Year LeadAwards bronze award for a series of 8 photos from Taking Off. Henry My Neighbor in Vice/N°11/2015
2016 The Author Book Award in Arles for artist book Taking Off. Henry my Neighbor
2016 Honorary Appreciation For Taking Off. Henry My Neighbor At Schönste Bücher Aus Aller Welt
2016 The Best Dutch and Flemish Book Designs award for artist book Taking Off. Henry my Neighbor
2014 Stipendium Program for Established Artists, Mondriaan Fund, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2011 Second starter stipend from The Netherlands Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture (Fonds BKVB)
2009 'Fotofestival di Roma' Book Award: Silver Medal Award for 'Elisabeth - I want to eat-'
2009 Starter stipend from The Netherlands Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture
(Fonds BKVB)
2009 Flexible working budget from The Netherlands Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture (Fonds BKVB)

Teachings & Residencies

2024 Residency at Printmaking Barcelona under guidance of Ignacio Aguirre / Barcelona, Spain
2021 Residency at Le Maupas A.R. / Le Maupas, France
2018 Residency at EKWC / Oisterwijk, The Netherlands
2016 Masterclass Vincent Delbrouck at Foam Museum with guest artists Paul Bogaers & Mariken Wessels / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2013 Fine Arts guest teacher at ArtEZ Institute of the Arts / Arnhem, The Netherlands
2011 Fine Arts Teacher in Dogtime Department at Gerrit Rietveld Academie / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2010 Guest teaching at the Nola Hatterman Art Academy Suriname in collaboration with Gerrit Rietveld Academie
2009 Guest teaching in collaboration with Gerrit Rietveld Academie at 'Ateliers '89' Oranjestad, Aruba 

Exhibitions & Fairs

2021-2024 / upcoming

Oh Boy, It’s A Girl! A Short History Of Artists’ Books Made By Female Artists / Iasi / România
Models - Of A Different Kind solo exhibition / DMW Gallery / Antwerp, Belgium
Duo presentation with Ruth van Beek  / The Ravestijn Gallery / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Duo presentation with Ruth van Beek / The Ravestijn Gallery / Art Rotterdam 2023 / Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Group exhibition / The Ravestijn Gallery / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
3x4=NOW exhibition curated by Jon Cazenave / San Telmo Museum / San Sebastian, Spain
Ballarat International Foto Biennale / Ballarat, Australia
Re-Connect FOMU Aanwinsten Collectie 2010-2020 Expo, curated by Tamara Berghmans / FOMU - Fotomuseum Antwerp / Antwerp, Belgium

2020

Human After All: Ceramic Reflections in Contemporary Art exhibition curated by Tanya Rumpff / Keramiekmuseum Princessehof / Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
Group exhibition The Salon Show / The Ravestijn Gallery / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Solo exhibition Nude - Arising From The Ground / The Ravestijn Gallery / Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2019

Pick Me! by We Like Art / Collectie DE.GROEN / Arnhem, The Netherlands
The Photograph That Took the Place of a Mountain exhibition, curated by Taco Hidde Bakker / Vriend van Bavink / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
NO TODO - NIET ALLES, an exhibition in an archival box, curated by Inez piso / Johan Deumens Gallery / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Spread / Kunstverein Hildesheim / Hildesheim, Germany
Solo exhibition with The Ravestijn Gallery / Art Rotterdam 2019 / Rotterdam, The Netherlands

2018 

Artist books selection / Pictura Groningen / Groningen, The Netherlands
WKB18 artist books exhibition / Groninger Museum and others / Groningen, The Netherlands 

2017

Secret Postcard Sale by We Like Art / Westergasfabriek / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Je est un autre: the vernacular in photobooks / The ICP Library / USA 
PERFECT / IMPERFECT curated by David Evans / Galerie Andreas Schmidt / Berlin, Germany 
Photo Oxford 2017 curated by Tim Clark & Greg Hobson / Oxford, UK
Fotoboekenprijs / FotoFestival Naarden 2017 / Naarden, The Netherlands
Babe 2017: Bristol Artists Book Event / Arnolfini / Bristol, UK
Solo exhibition I'M OK - YOU'RE OK / Fotomuseum Den Haag / The Hague, The Netherlands
Johan Deumens Gallery / Art Rotterdam 2017 / Rotterdam, The Netherlands

2016

De Best Verzorgde Boeken van Nederland en Vlaanderen 2015 awards / Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Best Book Designs from the Netherlands and Flanders 2015 / Design Week / Beijing, China
The Best Book Designs from the Netherlands and Flanders 2015 / Russian National Book Festival 'Zhar-Kniga' / Moscow, Russia
The Best Book Designs from the Netherlands and Flanders 2015 / Shanghai Book Fair / Shanghai, China
Visual Leader, LeadAwards exhibition / Haus der Fotografie Deichtorhallen / Hamburg, Germany
Johan Deumens Gallery / Amsterdam Art Fair / Amsterdam, The Netherlands 
Gerard Petrus Fieret exhibition curated by Émilie Lauriola / Le Bal / Paris, France
FLOWERBANK exhibition curated by Gijs Stork / X Bank / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Solo exhibition curated by Joachim Naudts / FOMU - FotoMuseum provincie Antwerpen / Antwerpen, Belgium
De Obscure Kamer exhibition curated by Petra Noordkamp / Arti et Amicitiae / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
QUICKSCAN NL#2 curated by Frits Gierstberg / Nederlands Fotomuseum / Rotterdam, Netherlands
Feminine Masculine exhibition for Photo50 curated by Federica Chiocchetti / London Art Fair / London, UK
SIZE MATTERS exhibition with We Like Art / TETEM / Enschede, Netherlands

2015

Offprint Paris Art Publishing Fair with APE / Beaux-arts de Paris / Paris, France
Editions/Artists’ Books Fair (E/AB) with Johan Deumens Gallery / The Tunnel / New York, USA
FOTOGRAFIA Festival Internazionale di Roma with Little Big Press / Museo d’Arte Contemporanea / Rome, Italy
10X10 Photobooks Salon organized by Matthew Carson, Russet Lederman, Olga Yatskevich and the International Center of Photography Library, moderated by Taco Hidde Bakker / New York, USA
Printed Matter’s THE NY ART BOOK FAIR with APE / MoMA PS1 / New York, USA
Unseen Photo Fair with Johan Deumens Gallery / Westergasfabriek / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
WIELS Art Book Fair with Johan Deumens Gallery / WIELS, Centre d'Art Contemporain / Bruxelles, Belgium
De Fotokopie exhibition with De Schans Gallery and Foam Fotografiemuseum / Rencontres de la Photographie / Arles, France
THE EDITION SHOW / Riot-Ghent / Ghent, Belgium 
Veldwerk jubilee exhibition curated by Hanne Hagenaars & Heske ten Cate / Kunstvereniging Diepenheim / Diepenheim, The Netherlands
Book presentation Taking Off with Johan Deumens Gallery / Amsterdam Art Fair / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Book launch Taking Off at Offprint London / Tate Modern / London, Uk
Sequence 1 exhibition with Academie Minerva, Henk Woudsma and Groninger Museum / Academie Minerva / Groningen, The Netherlands
Printed Matter’s LA ART BOOK FAIR with Johan Deumens Gallery / The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA / Los Angeles, USA
Offprint Paris Art Publishing Fair with Johan Deumens Gallery / Beaux-arts de Paris / Paris, France
On The Move book fair with Johan Deumens Gallery / Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam / Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2014

START BUYING ART exhibition / We Like Art / Westerpark / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
UNSEEN Book Market with Johan Deumens Gallery / Westergasfabriek / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I am not doing anything until I feel the need exhibition initiated by Joanneke Meester / Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I am not doing anything until I feel the need exhibition initiated by Joanneke Meester / De Nederlandse Bank / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dutch Photobooks at TIFF Festival 2014 curated by Erik Kessels / Studio BWA / Wroclaw, Poland
4DOGtime, Live / TNT building / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Artists’ Publications / Johan Deumens Gallery / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Solo exhibition in collaboration with Rietveld Academy, organized by Castrum Peregrini / 8 cubic meters / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
BE CALM curated by Hanne Hagenaars / CBK Amsterdam / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Binding Image Second Edition curated by Aram Tanis and Lena Davidovich / M4 Gastatelier / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Art Rotterdam 2014 / We Like Art / Van Nellefabriek / Rotterdam, The Netherlands

2013

Documentaria organized by 3/3 / Little Big Press / Bari, Italy
Offprint Paris Art Publishing Fair with Johan Deumens Gallery / Beaux-arts de Paris / Paris, France
Lishui International Photography Festival / Little Big Press / Lishui, China
Offprint Amsterdam photography fair UNSEEN with Johan Deumens Gallery / Westerpark / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
TOKYO Art Book Fair / Public Rietveld Shop / GAIEN CAMPUS / Tokyo, Japan
START BUYING ART exhibition / We Like Art / Westerpark / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
IFEST Italian Photo Festival / Savignano, Italy
We Like Art Pop-Up show / De Bijenkorf / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
flowerCASTLE curated by Gijs Stork / Castle Keukenhof / Lisse, The Netherlands
Ed Ruscha book with ABC Artists' books cooperative / Gagosian Gallery / New York, USA
The Little Big Press Exhibition / Treterzi / Rome, Italy
Codex International Book Fair with Johan Deumens Gallery / Craneway Pavilion / Carlifornia, USA
Prospects & Concepts organized by the Mondriaan Fund and curated by Wim Waelput / Lantaren/Venster / Rotterdam, The Netherlands
New Members / Arti et Amicitiae / Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2012

Athenaeum & Van Zoetendaal exhibition curated by Petra Noordkamp / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
We Like Art Walls / VOUS ETES ICI / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
01. Binding Image Pop-Up Gallery  / muzyQ / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
GuatePhoto / Indie Photobook Library / Guatemala City, Guatemala
Evolution of PhotoBookmaking with Mercantile Library / FOTOFOCUS / Cincinnati, USA
ABC&ED project / Offprint Paris / Paris, France
ABC&ED project / The New York Art Book Fair / New York, USA
ABC&ED project / The London Art Book Fair / Mews Project Space / London, UK
Offprint Amsterdam 2012 at Unseen Photo Fair with Johan Deumens Gallery / Westergasfabriek / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Salon II  / Arti et Amicitiae / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
We Like Art show / ING Headquarters / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Presentation in display window / Athenaeum Boekhandel / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
We Like Art show / Open Garden Days / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
C/O Berlin Bookdays . 2012 with ABC Artists' Book Cooperative / Berlin, Germany
Talk at The Future of Artist Books / PrintRoom / Rotterdam, The Netherlands
SLIDELUCK POTSHOW AMS2 curated by Paul Kooiker / Pakhuis De Zwijger / Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2011

Indie Photobook Library Exhibition curated by Loret de Mola / Society for Photographic Education / New York, USA
Indie Photobook Library Exhibition curated by Larissa Leclair / Lishui Photography Festival / China
Group show Dutch and Belgian Photo Books / Kominek Gallery / Berlin, Germany
Amsterdam Art and Design Book Fair / Pakhuis de Zwijger / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Indie Photobook Library Exhibition curated by Muriel Hasbun and Susan Sterne / Corcoran Gallery of Art / Washington DC, USA
Group show Do you wanna date? / BERM / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Indie Photobook Library Exhibition / Photographic Resource Center / Boston, USA
Little Big Press Second Edition / Fotoleggendo-ISA / Rome, Italy
Third Sheffield International Artist's Book Prize / Bank Street Arts / Sheffield, United Kingdom
Offprint Paris with ABC Artists' Book Cooperative / Paris, France
Hamburger Fototage with ABC Artists' Books Cooperative / Haus der Photographie / Hamburg, Germany
Selection Fonds BKVB / 1st Beijing International Design Fair / Beijing, China
Solo exhibition / Kominek Gallery / Berlin, Germany
Wat zijn mij wolken nog en wegen, curated by Hanne Hagenaars en Gijs Assmann / Kunstvereniging Diepenheim / Diepenheim, The Netherlands
International Photobook Festival Kassel with ABC Artists' Books Cooperative / Documenta-Halle / Kassel, Germany
The shortcut / Arti et Amicitiae / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Groundmagazine / PrintRoom / Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam Art/Book Fair 2011 with ABC Artists' Books Cooperative / De brakke Grond / Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2010

We like 6%! / Nieuw Dakota / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
EAB Editions and Artists’ Book Fair / Former X Initiative / New York City, USA
NY Art Book Fair / MoMA PS1 / New York City, USA
London Art Book Fair / Whitechapel Gallery / London, United Kingdom
Offprint Paris / Kiron Espace / Paris, France
Fotoboekenmarathon / Huis Marseille / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Fotoleggendo festival / Little Big Press / Rome, Italy
To the Limit / Johan Deumens Gallery at Spinnerei / Leipzig, Germany
Exhibition / Johan Deumens Gallery / Haarlem, The Netherlands
Book presentation / Foam Fotografiemuseum / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Guest teaching / Nola Hatterman Art Academy / Paramaribo,  Suriname
Solo exhibition / De Zwarte Ruyter / Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Book presentation Johan Deumens gallery / Art Amsterdam / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Sugary Photographs by Time to meet / FotoMuseum / Antwerpen, Belgium

2009

Book marathon / Huis van Marseille / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Book presentations / Johan Deumens Gallery / Haarlem, The Netherlands
Guest teaching / 'Ateliers '89' / Oranjestad, Aruba
Constructures / Souterrain Amsterdam / Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2008

Vision in motion - motion in vision / Verbeke Foundation / Kemzeke, Belgium
Graduation Rietveld Academie / Rietveld Academie / Dogtime / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Kunstvlaai in co-operation with 'Het Kattenbakcollectief' / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Graduation Selection Rietveld Academie / De Oude Kerk / Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2007 

Nominated by 'Nederland Leest' for the design of the book cover of  'Kees de jongen' by Theo Thijssen
Short film 'Sleep, little child' / National Museum of Women in the Arts / Washington D.C, USA
Wallensalon / Het Kattenbak Collectief  / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
One minute film ’lucht’ / Sandberg Instituut broadcast on Dutch television
Zwever / Chiellerie / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Cinema de Bricolage/ Horse Move Projects Space & Art et Amicitiae / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Photo exhibition / Chiellerie / Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2006 

four.ten.five.eleven.new.art.education / Kunsthuis SYB / Beetsterzwaag, The Netherlands
Grid06 - Nominated for Holland Casino Award with photo
Dogtime / Deiska / Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2005 

Art fair / Stichting Cokevanjou with Kattenbak collectief / Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Acting

Het Nationale Toneel, 'De Perzen' of Aischylos
directed by: Hans Croiset
Het Nationale Toneel

'Moortje' of Bredero
Het Nationale Toneel

'Bouwmeester Solness' of H. Ibsen
directed by: Colin McColl
Het Nationale Toneel
Ibsen Festival / Norway / Oslo

'Slotkoor' of Botho Strauss
Het Nationale Toneel

'Een ideale echtgenoot' of Oscar Wilde
Het Nationale Toneel

‘Jane Eyre’ of Charlotte Brönte
directed by: Brigitte Odett
Grote zaal productie of Michel Boersma Theaterproducties

‘De Kersentuin’ of A. Tsjechow
assisted direction by: Paul Binnerts
Theaterschool-regieafdeling Amsterdam, The Netherlands

'Bezoekers' of Botho Strauss
directed by: Hans Croiset
Het Nationale Toneel

'Overlijdensbericht' of Heiner Müller
directed by: Leon van der Sanden
Frascatie produktion

'Schrijf' of theatergroep Hollandia
directed by: Johan Simons, Paul Koek

'Wienerwald' of Ö. van Horvath
directed by: Marcelle Meulemans 
Theatergroep Persona

Theatergroep Persona, Toneelgroep Hollandia, Vrije producties.

Television-Film:

among others: 'We zijn weer thuis' W.T. Schippers, 'Van Speijk',
'Zes Minuten', 'Dertien steden, twaalf ongelukken'