About

The use of collage, montage, assemblage and free association is for the belgian sculptor Caroline Coolen (°1975, Bree, Belgium), a way to get a grip on reality. She encapsulates a multiplicity of everyday impressions in her sculptures: typical is her relationship with nature, landscape and animals. She strives to compress an overall impression of the outside world – or Umwelt as Coolen calls it – into her art. Always beginning with modelling, she creates a conglomerate from very diverse materials. This profound integration connects space and time, the sphere within which humans, animals or plants are placed. Caroline Coolen’s work simulates a broad spectrum of our senses, with varied textures and different materials she binds the visual to the tactile. The results are sculptures, large scale drawings, often presented as an installation.

Publications

Education

1994-1998 / Master Sculpture, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp (B)

1999-2001 / Laureate of Higher Institute of Fine Arts (HISK), Antwerp (B)

Artist in residence

2022 / Frans Masereel Centre, Kasterlee (B)

2021 / Frans Masereel Centre, Kasterlee (B)

2020 / Frans Masereel Centre, Kasterlee (B)

2017 / Sundaymorning @EKWC, Oisterwijk (NL)

2013 / Frans Masereel Centre, Kasterlee (B)

2012 / Frans Masereel Centre, Kasterlee (B)

2011 / Frans Masereel Centre, Kasterlee (B)

2009 / Frans Masereel Centre, Kasterlee (B)

2008 / Frans Masereel Centre, Kasterlee (B)

2008 / EKWC, Den Bosch (NL)

2007 / Spitsbergen (N)

2004 / Flacc, Genk (B)

2002 / Lokaal 01, Antwerp (B)

Art in public space and public collections

2022 / "Arslan", Flemish Parliament , Brussels (B)

2021 / "Thistle", Middelheimmuseum, Antwerp, Collection Flemish Community (B)

2021 / "Uomo Selvatico" Emile Van Dorenmuseum, Genk (B)

2020 / "Carlina Vulgaris", Museum De Domijnen, Sittard (NL)

2020 / "Selfportrait as thistle", Museum De Domijnen, Sittard (NL)

2019 / " Fractoli", OCMW Lanaken (B)

2018 / "Gather thistles, expect prickles", MUHKA, Antwerp (B)

2018 / "Kaaverzicht", Grote Spouwen, Bilzen (B)

2016 / “Robrecht van Haspengouw”, Donk, Herk-de-stad (B)

2010 / “Iedereen curator”, Izegem (B)

2009 / “Free Foxes”, Meerdonk (B)

2009 / “Caravan”, Sint-Truiden (B)

2007 / "Yellow bastard", Keramiekmuseum Princessehof, Leeuwarden (NL)

2006 / “Expanding Horizons”, OCMW Antwerp (B)

2005 / “Choufleur”, Neerpelt (B)

2000 / “Porcocrates”, Neerpelt (B)

Awards

2016 / Laureate Grote Prijs Ernest Albert, Mechelen (B)

2009 / Selection Provinciale Prijs, Antwerp (B)

2008 / Laureate Parkstad Limburgprijs, Heerlen (NL)

2005 / Laureate Prix Evelyn Encelot, Dijon, France (FR)

1998 / Laureate Vincke-Soeursprijs, Antwerp (B)

1998 / Laureate Rembrandt Bugattiprijs, Antwerp (B)

1998 / Laureate Prijs Plastische Kunsten, Lede (B)