SVEIN KONINGEN Abstract Series
SVEIN KONINGEN Abstract Expressionist
Inspiration: For the artist, inspiration comes from both external influences and internal feelings which effects the way the external is perceived, viewed or accepted.
We all know this to be true. Some artists are inspired by beautiful scenery whilst others are moved by darker seedy city and street-scapes. Svein is not moved to paint beautiful green valleys, seascapes or street scenes. He is a studio painter. His subconscious collects information, which then becomes visible via his abstract paintings.
A new abstract series 'Street Scenes' glimpses of Brugge street life are exposed in symbolic marks representing the often chaotic bike riders with headsets, groups of tourists led by a coloured umbrelled guide and trotting horse carriages are all brought to life on canvas.
The beauty of abstraction is for the viewer to interpret the artist's work finding stories of images hidden within the canvas.
Koningen's Wilderness series, is inspired by the northern Provence region of France. The fields of lavender and sunflowers are depicted by bold splashes of vivid purples and bold golden yellow.
Koningen's passion for abstraction was born out of an Arts & Industrial Design education in the 1960’s. His introduction to art began as a very young child with visits to the Rijsmuseum with his Dutch grandparents, educating the young Koningen on Rembrandt and the Dutch Masters.
Koningen was born in the shadow of WW2 in Trondheim Norway. His Norwegian mother met his Dutch father in Oslo amidst the German invasion of Norway. At the end of the war his mother went home to Trondheim to have Svein whilst his father had to wait out the Norwegian war trails in Oslo. He had spent his war years as an enforced labourer whilst working with the Dutch underground. Quickly freed he was sent home to Amsterdam where his five month old, son Svein, and his wife joined him. The family moved to Geelong, Australia in 1953 where Koningen studied Art & Industrial Design at the Gordon Tech, Geelong. Koningen spent a year as a designer before moving to Curacao, in the Caribbean to manage the family business. Family and business ensued for the next 20 years until mid life Koningen rediscovered his passion for painting, left the corporate world behind committing himself full-time to his craft, painting.
Koningen is a prolific painter continually expanding his application to canvas creating bold and expressive works. His paintings evoke feelings of intensity, mystery and secrets sometimes erotic and sensual with a rhythm of colour and music. His use of bold colour, texture and raw energy are the signature marks of this Brugge based international artist. Koningen’s work is resolutely painterly.
His art speaks of wild landscapes, nature's rhythm of changing seasons with more minimal works reflecting his background in Industrial Design.
Other works include ‘Metal & Lace’ juxtaposes the new and old industries becoming one sculptural work forming shadows and light. The fusion of masculine and female energies, hard and soft, lace and metal, old and new, adds a layered dimension to the perception of the work.
BIOGRAPHY
Born Trondheim, Norway 1946
Netherlands Amsterdam 1946 - 1954
Australia Geelong 1954 - 1968
Caribbean Curacao 1968 - 1972
United Kingdom London 1972 - 1975
Australia Brisbane, Melbourne 1976 - 1996
France La Garde Freinet 1996 - 1997
Australia Noosa Heads 1997 - 2004
Europe Brugge, Belgium 2005 - current
Solo exhibitions
2013 Art Gent, International Art Fair Gent Belgium
2013 Art & Design Du Fosse Brugge Belgium
2012 Paintings from a Brugge Studio St Kilda Melbourne Australia
2012 No Limits! Just Abstraction Blast Gallery Paris France
2011 Koningen @ Cultuurcentrum De Brouckere Torhout Belgium
2011 Duet of Sculptures Hof Van Ryhove Space Gent Belgium
2009 Un Reve Colore Espaces Loungeatude Louvain-la-Neuve Belgium
2007 Subconscious Abstraction GC Oude Pastorie Mechelen Belgium
2006 Embracing Roussillon First Line Knokke Belgium
2006 Noir et Blanc First Line Knokke Belgium
2005 Antipodean Reflections Gondwana Gallery Sydney Australia
2004 Abstract Blues Lynne Wilton Gallery Melbourne Australia
2004 Exposing Abstract Colour Bark Modern Art Hong Kong China
2004 Abstract Lynne Wilton Gallery Melbourne Australia
2003 Abstract Colours Unearthed Lynne Wilton Gallery Melbourne Australia
2002 Senses Come Alive Noosa Regional Gallery Noosa Heads Australia
2001 Palm Beach Art Sydney Australia
1999 Colours Regent St Gallery Sydney Australia
1997 Mediterranee Series Boab Gallery Brisbane Australia
1996 Following a Passion QuisQaulis Art Space Brisbane Australia
group exhibitions
2014 Mitchell Contemporary Vail & Aspen USA
2011 Mitchell Contemporary Vail & Aspen USA
2010 2 x Brugge in Koekelare Bementebestuur Van Koekelare Belgium
2010 Shine Keunekapel Koksijde Belgium
2010 Quintessence-Actions Colours Jan Garemijnzaal Belfort Brugge Belgium
2009 Quintessence 09 Jan Garemijnzaal Belfort Brugge Belgium
2009 Shine Museums Alfons Blomme Roeselare Belgium
2008 House of World Dubai UAE
2008 Retail City Dubai UAE
2008 Quintessence Jan Garemijnzaal Belfort Brugge Belgium
2005 Nocturn Art & Antique Art Fair Knokke Belgium
2005 Melbourne Affordable Art Fair Exhibition Buildings Melbourne Australia
2004 Melbourne Affordable Art Fair Exhibition Buildings Melbourne Australia
2004 Sydney Affordable Art Fair Sydney Australia
2002 Freedom of Spirit Landscape & Destiny Hong Kong China
2001 Norton Gallery Sydney Australia
2000 Trevenen House Gallery Brisbane Australia
1998 Riverworks Gallery Noosa Heads Australia
1998 Hyatt International Hotel Coolum Australia
1998 Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains Resort Sydney Australia
1998 Hilton Hotel Sydney Australia
1997 Arte Padova Padua Italy
1996 Arte Padova Padua Italy
1996 Gallery Conigliano Conigliano Italy
1995 Qdos Gallery Lorne Australia
1995 Jackman Gallery Melbourne Australia
private collections & commissions
DP Central & Onsen Spa Dinner Plains Australia
Kerr Collection Melbourne & Sorrento Australia
International InDesign (commissions & collections) Noosa & Melbourne Australia
Colliers International Melbourne Australia
Winward Structures Melbourne Australia
Dewaz Brussels Belgium
Bergblick Hotel & Natur Grän Austria
Bogacki Property Consultants Christchurch New Zealand
ASD Funds Management Melbourne Australia
Cumberland Resort Lorne Australia
Outrigger International Resort, Mantra Mooloolaba Australia]
Brown Family Hong Kong China
1669 Brugge Belgium
Nagel Family Collection France
Commissioned paintings for many international clients, both private and corporate.
KONINGEN CV
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