Art

Training and experience has given a sound understanding of traditional mediums in sculpture, modeling, carving, molding and casting. In painting, knowledge of various binding mediums for pigment, such as oil, encoustic, tempera paint and various grounds preparation. Maurice creates work that is of a durable archival nature.

Experimentation is an important part of the creative art process, realising new and inovative works, these techniques are applied in a contemporary art context. Materials such as stone, clay, metal and pigments in painting reflect the primal forces Maurice likes to express throughout the collections of art.

Passionate about the abundant beauty of a natural surrounding, New Zealand. Subjects such as the landscapes and bird life of the Waitakeres, West Coast of Auckland, are absorbed by Maurice in his daily existence. Artworks are suggestive of places and species, emphasis is placed on expression. The artworks created are vessels for symbols or archetypes of New Zealand, The World, The Cosmos and beyond.

Artist - Maurice van Cooten

Portrait by RCF Photography

Contemporary artist born in the Netherlands, based in Waitakere, Auckland, New Zealand. Maurice has lived half his life in The Netherlands, where he achieved his qualification in painting and sculpture at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam. Furthering his study at the University of Amsterdam, [Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, Academie voor Beeldende Vorming], specialising in sculpture and teaching of art. Achieving a Post Graduate Dilpoma in Fine Arts in 2006, Auckland, New Zealand. Specialising in painting at The Elam School of Fine Arts.

Maurice has been a part of a design duo, creating fashion and streetwear with an emphasis on sustainability. Having surface designed and applied graphics to environmentally sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton. Hemp and organic cotton stretched canvases are now the base for oil tempera paintings, promoting sustainablity in art, graphics and website design. The art and design studio is powered by green and self managed energy sources.

Artists blog: www.maurice.vancooten.co.nz

Previous Exhibitions

Aotearoa / New Zealand

2010 West Coast Gallery, Artisans at Huia.

2009 Waitakere Open Studios, Arataki Visitor Center, Huia Infusion, West Coast Gallery.

2008 Huia Infusion, Waitakere Open Studios.

2007 Barossa, Huia Infusion, Morgan Street Gallery, Upstairs Gallery Lopdell House ,Stanbeth House Gallery.

2006 Elam School of Fine Arts, Art Space.

The Netherlands

2005 Van Nelle Fabriek, Kiwisauce, Gallery Schijnheilig, De Witte Ruijter, Academie voor Beeldende Vorming, Gallery Walls, De Swaeneburgh.

2004 Prinshendrikkade 25, Gallery De Verrassing, De Badcuyp, Kokopeli.

2002 Sociale Verzekerings Bank, Gerrit Rietveld Academie.

Publications

2007 Western Leader, West Auckland newspaper.

2005 - 2006 Artxtra, art catalogue.

2004 October Nederlandse Vakgroep Keramisten, ceramic magazine.