Rotterdam-based artist Juul Kraijer, a fine art alumna of the Willem de Kooning Academy, continues to captivate audiences both in the Netherlands and internationally with her intimate, surreal exploration of humanity and nature. Her works (drawing, photography, video, and sculpture) delve into the complex relationship between body and mind, often blurring the boundaries between reality and dream. Over the years, Kraijer has developed a distinctive visual language known for its restrained symbolism and mystic atmosphere.
In her work, Kraijer subtly merges the human body with natural elements, creating a surreal yet poetic experience for the viewer. Employing a variety of media to explore her themes, including charcoal drawings, photographic portraits, and video installations, her work has a timeless, serene quality. The figures she depicts often seem suspended in an introspective, almost meditative state, making the work feel both elusive and hypnotic.
Current and Upcoming Exhibitions
Juul Kraijer’s work is featured in several exhibitions this season, showcasing her diverse body of work to audiences worldwide. Through these exhibitions, Kraijer continues to surprise and inspire her audience. Her work evokes deep emotion and introspection, offering space for a wide range of interpretations.
- The Beauty Within - Brutus, Rotterdam
Until December 4, 2024, Kraijer’s drawings are on display alongside works by Rotterdam’s eccentric artist Jan Börger (1929-2004). Curated by Fred Balvert, the exhibition invites viewers to explore a dialogue between Börger’s intense pen drawings of female nudes and Kraijer’s subtle, symbolic imagery. The exhibition sheds new light on both artists and highlights their shared fascination with the human body. - E P H E M E R A - Recontemporary, Turin, Italy
From November 1 to December 21, 2024, Kraijer presents a solo exhibition of her video works from the past fifteen years. Visitors can experience the quiet strength of her video installations, where subtle changes and movements in the human body command the viewer’s careful attention. This exhibition is supported by the Mondrian Fund. - Artissima 2024 - Galleria Monica De Cardenas, Turin, Italy
At Artissima, the prestigious art fair in Turin, Kraijer’s work will be featured from November 1 to 3, 2024, in the Galleria Monica De Cardenas booth, also supported by the Mondrian Fund. - Shadow Self - Huis Marseille Museum for Photography, Amsterdam
Kraijer’s works are also featured in Shadow Self (October 19, 2024 - March 9, 2025) at Huis Marseille, where her photographic images are showcased alongside contemporary works from Asian and other international artists who explore themes of identity and self-reflection. - Out of Paradise - Museum Krona, Uden
This exhibition, on view at Museum Krona until March 2025 before traveling to Klooster Ter Apel, combines contemporary art with historical masterpieces. Kraijer’s works are presented alongside an eclectic selection of artworks and museum objects from various collections, exploring themes of spirituality and human nature. - Beeldspraak - Drents Museum, Assen
Until September 15, 2024, Kraijer’s work was featured in Beeldspraak, an exhibition showcasing contemporary sculptures alongside those by renowned sculptors such as Stephan Balkenhol and Femmy Otten. In this show, her sculptural pieces, which express both the vulnerability and resilience of the human form, found a powerful presence.
