About

The figurative patchworks from Cootje Veelenturf (1989, NL) bring to life experiences from lucid dreams, visions, nightmares and other intense states, in which her subconscious pushes through the surface of reality. She assembles fragmented, fleeting images and translates the intangible into textured tactile forms.

Drawing from a personal visual lexicon, Veelenturf’s works are inhabited by recurring motifs - symbols of protection and feverish bodily states. The irregularities of her recycled and often redyed fabrics mirror the shifting, elusive nature of her subjects, embracing coincidences and imperfections.

With a background in theatre and storytelling, her artistic journey has moved through photography, performance and installation. In textiles she has found her most instinctive form of expression - one that does not explain but reveals, weaving together raw emotion, intuition and memory into layered dreamlike compositions.

Cootje Veelenturf lives and works in Antwerp, Belgium.



education


2010 - 2015
Royal Conservatory Antwerp, BE
Master of Arts in Drama - Word Art


2014 – 2015
Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, BE
inSitu³ - spatial and contextual research


2009 - 2010
University of the Arts Utrecht, NL
Acting




photo by Dimitris Siokis ©


exhibitions & performances


2025
(upcoming)
Zijspoor and Antwerp Art Weekend Shifting Scales
group exhibition, Antwerp, BE

(upcoming)
Temp and Antwerp Art Weekend Open Fields
group exhibition, Antwerp, BE

(upcoming)
Oceaan - muzikale expo
group exhibition, Antwerp, BE
2024
SECONDroom Happy Hospitality
group exhibition, Antwerp, BE

De Kiekencentrale Korte Metten
group exhibition, Antwerp, BE

2018
Missing Mathilde
group exhibition, Antwerp, BE

2016
deSingelMOMENTUM
installation, Antwerp, BE

Antwerp Tower The side show
performance, Antwerp, BE

2015
Faktor44 The Longest Night
group exhibition, Antwerp, BE


DE Studio Vloeibaar Manifest II
performance and installation, Antwerp, BE

Dans! Dichter! Dans!
performance, Antwerp, BE

2014
DeTijdVloeibaar Manifest
performance, Antwerp, BE

DeTijd theatre productionsDracula
performance, Antwerp, BE and NL

2013
Kunsthal Extra City Luc Deleu - Orban Space
performance, Antwerp, BE

KARKAS and Villanella De Nacht van de Debutant
installation and performance, Antwerp, BE

KARKAS, VONK & Zonen and Villanella Werktitel
performance, Antwerp, BE

2012
KARKAS, Villanella and ZNA KARKAS Rust
residency and performance, Antwerp, BE

Haute Koture XS
performance, Antwerp, BE

KARKAS and Creatief Schrijven Toer de Nord
installation, Antwerp, BE