Exhibition ‘Køninklijk Chiq’ (‘Royal Chiq’)

About this activity.

Starting Wednesday, October 1st, the new exhibition ‘Royal Chiq’ opens at Galerie Forma Aktua. This diverse exhibition features works by Reinier van den Berg, Jolanda Kieneker, Jessica Lelieveld, Anja Lensen, and Eva Ouden Ampsen. The opening is on Sunday, October 5th at 4:00 PM. The exhibition runs until November 2nd.

Reinier van den Berg: Smooth Brushstrokes and Fresh Colors

Reinier van den Berg graduated from the Minerva Academy in Groningen in 1984. Since then, he has been active as a visual artist and graphic designer. He consistently explores a theme. In each series, he creates an intriguing tension between tradition and innovation. His paintings, woodcuts, monumental works, and objects are characterized by a unique, highly recognizable design. Highly abstract, with smooth brushstrokes and fresh colors, the paintings are dynamic. Due to the thorough preparation, his work can best be described as 'constructed expressionist'. Reinier is a member of the Royal Chiq Art Group and the Groningen Art Circle De Ploeg.

Jolanda Kieneker: Searching for Color and Harmony

Jolanda Kieneker's work is primarily concerned with the atmosphere of the subject. Her flowers and oil portraits are characterized by a mostly light but always colorful palette. With her loose brushstrokes, she seeks harmony in color and form, creating a poetic atmosphere. Painting 'In Memoriam' portraits is a special aspect of her work and can provide support as she navigates new paths after loss. It's about the beauty of intimate, atmospheric, casual, and precisely painted moments.

Jessica Lelieveld: Freedom is precious and not to be taken for granted

Jessica is a ceramicist first and foremost; she has over 30 years of experience with this material, which challenges her to explore and experiment. In her series of ships, she also incorporated materials found along the Reitdiep, the beautiful river that meanders through the province of Groningen and passes the artist's home in the Ruigezand Polder near Electra. The sails of the ships seemingly cut through the fields as Jessica looks from her house toward the river, hidden behind a dike. The river represents movement and the passing of time, two themes Jessica enjoys expressing in her objects. Ships symbolize her freedom, something dear to the artist. In these turbulent times, freedom is a great asset. "I find it incredibly valuable that I can portray this with my art. After all, freedom is precious and certainly not something to be taken for granted."

Anja Lensen Wool as a base in the Oude Riet

Anja Lensen lives and works near the Oude Riet, Westerkwartier. Wool is always the foundation of Anja's work—sometimes just wool combined with textile fibers, sometimes wool combined with other found materials, such as wood, pottery, metal, chestnuts, shells, and rope! She draws her inspiration from everyday things—a thought, an object, a shape, a commission—where the translation into the material (felt) is key. The result, the result of form and texture, is ultimately a surprise. Anja creates textile objects, clothing, and accessories. For example, a handbag or a unique scarf, colorful or understated, depending on the choice of materials.

Jessica Lelieveld: Passion for Building with My Hands

Walking along the Reitdiep canal, just anywhere in the country or on an island, I find my inspiration. The impressions I gather form into images in my mind. And I bring those with me to my studio. Ceramics are usually the foundation from which I work. However, I enjoy combining materials. As I work, my objects take shape according to the images in my mind. The result is sometimes a surprise, but always something I've consciously worked towards. I'm delighted to share my work, whether through my website, in my studio, or at exhibitions throughout the country.

Artist's Statement

I consider it a privilege to be able to freely and passionately build with my hands what my head and heart tell me about the grandeur of life, and to share this with the viewer.

Eva Ouden Ampsen: A Woman's Portrait as a Source of Inspiration

Eva Ouden Ampsen is a visual artist who lives and works in a former rectory in Groningen's Westerkwartier district. Her work is highly varied, in terms of technique, material, and form. Her unique decorative technique is striking: millions of dots that give her work an atmospheric, colorful, and sometimes fairytale-like appearance. The woman's portrait is a recurring theme and a significant source of inspiration, as is the geisha, which gives some of her creations an oriental feel. Her unique decorative technique is characteristic: detailed, colorful, and imaginative. To realize her ideas, she uses bronze, wood, clay, cardboard, and paper. Her work takes many forms, such as vases, bowls, necklaces, bags, and sculptures. She also creates paintings from hundreds of pieces of torn paper and portraits in pastel chalk. She is a member of the artist collective "Open Ateliers Westerkwartier."

Exhibition information: ·Period: October 1st to November 2nd, 2025

• Exhibition opening: Sunday, Oktober 5th, 2025, 4:00 PM
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Free admission

Galerie Forma Aktua.

Al decennia lang functioneert Forma Aktua Pinakotheek als een platform voor al het opkomend talent in Noord-Nederland. Tegelijk volgt de galerie ook de ontwikkelingen in de wereld van de reeds meer gevestigde kunstenaars op de voet.

Location.

Forma Aktua
Nieuwstad 10
tel 050 3133342
www.forma-aktua.nl/