About & CV

Maud Konings

From my city (vegetable) garden I remember the beautiful landscape from when I lived in Norway. At that time I was occupied with vast landscapes; impressive mountains and their romantic views. The remains/fragments of these still exist in my imagination. From there, I take them with me into my work.

When I came back, it was a long search to find out what the Netherlands have to offer me in terms of nature and landscape. But imagine you are walking through a garden with me and a small group of other people – a relatively natural and biodiverse garden, which is partially a food forest. Exactly. That’s where I found my connection to the Dutch landscape.

This is a logical resonance. I grew up on a farm, where my dad has always had a vegetable garden. It’s the wonders of nature – that she provides us with food and so much beauty – that I’ve always found mesmerizing. A little while later I made pigment from the earth from my dad’s garden, the chives I chopped left a green stain on my hands, and while working in a professional kitchen I saw how colours and structures of plants formed a fine dining dish together. Nature provides us with so much beauty, and that is what motivates me.

When – in that biodiverse garden – I first heard the word “dye plants” I had a lightbulb moment. Most of what I’ve learned and been fascinated by the past few years comes from nature, and sometimes even more specific; the garden! Which means I can be part of the entire process. I am now developing my practice to collaborate more with nature and to be more sustainable. The images I capture are of delicate moments and relate to nature. I create these in slow and natural processes and on smaller formats. I cultivate, garden and cook, to create colours, grounds and building materials. I strive to grow as much as possible by myself, so I can be sure the plants have been part of a biodiverse system where birds, rabbits, deers, bees and worms are welcomed. Eventually most of the materials I use can be ecologically extracted from plants and the earth, and can be given back to nature even after processing.

Another part of my practice is constantly questioning the different materials of the painting. Different researches of the frame, the canvas and the paint arise. Within this I use and investigate materials and techniques that are used in restoration and classical painting, which I have always been fascinated by. Breaking through the hierarchy – the frame and canvas as a support for the paint – allows me to explore the sculptural qualities of paintings.

My goal is to let myself and others dwell on and enjoy everything nature offers us.

SOON/NOW

GROUP/DUO SHOWS
“Wat de tafel kleed(t)” – 2025
exhibition initiated by Luca van de Laar, space made available by stichting Tiny V.
Ottengas 15, Nijmegen – Nijmegen, NL

“Thuisje, boompje, beestje” – 20/10/24 – 4/5/25
Exhibition curated by the Nestbouwers
Natuurhistorisch Museum Rotterdam – Rotterdam, NL

KunstRAI – 2024
Nominated for Sluijters Prijs 2024, Kunst aan de Dijk Kortenhoef
RAI Amsterdam – Amsterdam, NL

“de Expeditie – van dichtbij” (project) – 2023
initiative of stichting KOP and stichting IDFX
in collaboration with Bredaas Bijenhouders Collectief
landgoed Wolfslaar – Breda, NL

“Now Show” (groupshow) – 2023
graduation show
St. Joost school of Art & Design. – Breda, NL

“Deurmatten” (groupshow) – 2023
de Fabriek – Eindhoven, NL

“Wie durft?” (groupshow) – 2022
Kunst in Altena – Woudrichem, NL

“Door Schemering” (project with duo show) – 2022
student work period
Stichting Idee-Fixe – Breda, NL

“Ik vergeet je niet” (project) – 2020
Cultuurcompaan Roosendaal – Roosendaal, NL

WORKPERIODS
Workperiod de Fabriek
de Fabriek – Eindhoven, NL
6/2/’23 – 19/2/’23

Student work period IDFX
Stichting Idee-Fixe – Breda, NL
14/6/’22 – 19/6/’22

EDUCATION
St. Joost School of Art and Design
Breda, NL
Art & Research (BA fine art)
september 2019 – july 2023

University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, NL
Chemistry, Materials and Techniques of Cultural Heritage Objects I
_{(part of minor Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage Objects)}
october 2022 – february 2023

Studio Ritsart Gobyn
Ghent, BE
Internship
october – december 2022

Fakultet for kunst, musikk og design (KMD) at Universitetet i Bergen (university of Bergen)
Bergen, NO
Fine art – painting
august 2021 – december 2021

NOMINATIONS
Sluijters Prijs 2024
Stichting Kunst aan de Dijk Kortenhoef

COURSES
1m2 vlas
Growing your own flax and learning the process from seed to textile.
2025

ARTICLES
Mediaplein Altena Net
Creativiteit vult en verfraait lege fabriekshal (link)

http://www.kop.nu
De Expeditie (link)

Martijn Welles
Video over de Expeditie (link)