ABOUT
Artist statement
My work stems from a fascination with place. We cannot (physically) exist without the space we inhabit. I’m fascinated by places people create, especially personal spaces; the ones where people dwell. But I’m also captivated by places which are open, vast and ungraspable, where man is void, like deserts and mountain landscapes. I like the thought we as human beings might not be all that important, and how wondrous it is we dó experience ourselves in this way and that this is reflecting in the way we take up space in the world and on the earth.
I like to attentively look at things that don’t scream for attention. To me photographing is a way to seek stillness in the outer world as well as in my inner world. With my work I want to invite people to pause and be still for a moment, literally and figuratively.
Photo by Kazumi Sakurai
“Claudia belongs to the best of the new Dutch generation of photographers pushing the boundaries of landscape and topographical art. We still proudly carry her first book Anchors, which we always held in very high esteem. It really is a wonderful, beautiful photographic object that deserves a spot in anyone’s collection!” – Fotofilmic (CA) – Material Practices in Contemporary Photography: International exhibitions, workshops and seminars, prints and photobooks
“De fotografie van Claudia den Boer is openhartig. Ze toont meer hoe ze het ziet dan wat ze ziet. Natuurlijk heeft ze haar onderwerpen en die kun je heel algemeen benoemen als landschappen. Het gaat erom dat ze daar een kijk op heeft die ze vanuit haar persoonlijke betrokkenheid zo oprecht mogelijk benadert, met alles wat ze heeft verworven als kunstenaar, maar ook met alles waar ze onzeker over is. Zo wordt de observatie een kwetsbaar fenomeen. Niet het geziene is direct van belang, maar hoe je het ziet.” – Alex de Vries, auteur, curator, adviseur
“Den Boer verstaat de kunst om op een ingetogen manier een groot verhaal fotografisch te verbeelden. Niets is teveel, nergens is er sprake van poespas of opsmuk. Met een heldere beeld keuze, evenwichtige compositie en kadrering creëert ze een sterk esthetisch beeld. In haar foto’s ontbreken mens en dier. De plaatsen en plekken die ze verbeeldt ademen een sfeer van onbeweeglijkheid uit maar het zijn geen stillevens; het leven speelt zich af aan de achterkant, buiten het gezichtsveld in de weerspiegeling van de ramen, om de bocht of achter de coulissen. Den Boer laat ruimte voor interpretatie aan de toeschouwer.” – Yvonne van der Velden, curator Willem Twee kunstruimte Den Bosch, projectleider, adviseur Beeldende Kunst
I like to attentively look at things that don't scream for attention.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Exhibitions selection
| 2020 solo | To pick up a stone / SEA Foundation, Tilburg, NL |
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| 2020 solo | 108 meter mesh wall artwork of 35 images / commissioned by City Council / public space Spoorzone, Tilburg, NL |
| 2019 solo | SPACE PLACE Gallery / Nizjni Tagil, Ural, RU |
| 2018 solo | photo series Silent Witness / part of project YMOI by Beh Chin Lau at Butterworth Fringe Festival, Butterworth, MY |
| 2019 solo | Cataract / Im Friese-TanzART / Kirschau, DE |
| 2020 group | Benefit for Brabant / PARK, Tilburg, NL |
| 2019 group | Unmapped / in collab. with visual artist and writer Dorien de Wit, choreographer Katja Grässli, soundscape by Strijbos & Van Rijswijk / KunstLoc Brabant, LocHal, Tilburg, NL |
| 2017 group | Kunstruimte Willem Twee / Den Bosch, NL |
| 2017 group | I Book Show / by Photobookshow.co.uk / Anchors / Taiga, St. Petersburg, RU + The Brighton Studio, UK |
| 2017 group | Athens Photo Festival / Photobook exhibition / Benaki Museum, Athens, GR |
| 2017 group | Dutch Photobooks Exhibition / De Gele Loods, Photo festival Naarden, NL |
| 2017 group | ‘Buiten Kaders’ / bkkc, Tilburg, NL |
| 2017 group | WINTER SHORTLIST show / print + photobook in collection / FotoFilmic PULP Gallery, Vancouver,CA |
| 2016 group | ISSP Final Exhibtion / Kuldiga, LV |
| 2011 group | GEM / Summer exhibition ‘Anoniem Gekozen’ / The Hague, NL |
| 2008 group | Breda Photo ‘Heimat Hotel’ / Breda’s museum, NL |
| 2008 group | Exhibition ‘Fotoprijs 2008’ / Photo museum The Hague, NL |
Publications selection
| 2020 | To pick up a stone / photo book / Publisher The Eriskay Connection |
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| 2016 | Anchors / photo book / Publisher The Eriskay Connection |
| 2011 | Hommage / 6 photographers inspired by Theatre Tilburg |
| 2010 | Verborgen Stad / collab. with Martijn Honselaar (Ontwerplab) |
| 2008 | Katendrecht 2 / AKV|St.Joost |
Projects and Residencies selection
| 2019 | AIR Joya Arte + Ecología / Parque natural de Sierra María-Los Vélez, Almería, ES |
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| 2018 | project YMOI / photo series Silent Witness + scenography dance piece Shou / collab.with Beh Chin Lau, Butterworth, MY |
| 2018 | project Cataract, collab. choreographer Katja Grässli, cultural philosopher Marc Colpaert and dancers Beh Chin Lau + Natalie Wagner / AIR Cultuurhuis de Warande, Turnhout, BE + DepenDance DansBrabant, Tilburg, NL / AIR TanzART, Kirschau, DE |
| 2017 | project (TE)STIL, collab. with choreographer Katja Grässli, Tilburg, NL |
| 2017 | AIR Can Serrat, El Bruc, Barcelona, ES |
| 2016 | International Summer School of Photography / Pelci, Kuldīga, LV |
| 2015 | AIR Tissardmine / Sahara desert, MA |
| 2013 | Artist In Residency Starry Night Retreat / Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, US |
| 2012 | Krot of Kans project / CBK Zeeland / Residence in Terhole (NL) |
| 2010 | Research project Verborgen Stad, collab. with architectural firm Ontwerplab |
Grants selection
| 2020 | Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Noord-Brabant / subsidy for photo book To pick up a stone |
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| 2020 | Impulsgelden Provincie Noord-Brabant+Kunstloc / subsidy for photo book To pick up a stone |
| 2019 | Makersfonds / Project subsidy photo project working title When Is A Mountain (new title To pick up a stone) |
| 2019 | Kennisvoucher / collab. with Katja Grässli (MoveToMeet) |
| 2018 | Impulsgelden / Stil Geluid, collab. with Katja Grässli (MoveToMeet) |
| 2018 | Prins Bernard Cultuurfonds NB / Project subsidy 2 (TE)STIL, collab. with Katja Grässli |
| 2017 | Prins Bernard Cultuurfonds NB / Project subsidy 1 (TE)STIL, collab. with Katja Grässli |
| 2017 | Makersfonds Tilburg / Project subsidy (TE)STIL, collab. with choreographer Katja Grässli |
| 2017 | Partial grant AIR Can Serrat, El Bruc, Barcelona (ES) |
| 2016 | Impulsgelden bkkc + provincie Noord-Brabant / subsidy for photo book Anchors |
| 2009 | Stimuleringsfonds voor architectuur / Project subsidy Belvedère, collab. with Ontwerplab |
Teaching and Public mediation
| 2010 – today | SintLucas Eindhoven + Boxtel / (guest) teacher photography and creativity |
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| 2014 – today | Van Abbemuseum / freelance guide |
Other
| 2017 – 2020 | supported by private fund AuntArt |
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| 2016 – 2019 | artistic partner at Foundation MoveToMeet |
| 2008 – 2015 | member of Fotografencollectief Föhn |
Commissioned
| Commissioned artwork for public space for City council Tilburg, Cultuurkantine, Gemeente Tilburg, Stichting Goretti/Factorium, |
| Stichting de Vrolijkheid, Strijbos & Van Rijswijk, Kijk op Kunst, Jan Couwenberg Architectuur, Stichting To The Etch, Vervoort Meubelen, |
| SLN International, Van de Ven Bouw en Ontwikkeling, Mariska van Zutven Fotografieprojecten, Theaters Tilburg, CAST Centre for |
| Architecture and Urban planning, Parochie Frater Andreas, City council Tilburg in collab. with Ontwerplab, Architectural firm Ontwerplab, |
| Public Library Midden-Brabant |