Hans van Houwelingen

Hans van Houwelingen (b. 1957) is an Amsterdam-based artist whose practice spans interventions in public spaces, exhibitions, lectures, and publications. Educated at the Minerva Art Academy in Groningen and the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, van Houwelingen explores the intersections of art, politics, and ideology. His work has been featured internationally, and he is a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines.

A key publication on his practice is STIFF: Hans van Houwelingen vs. Public Art (Artimo, 2004), a monograph that provides a comprehensive overview of his projects and writings, including an in-depth examination of his work on the Lorentzmonument in Arnhem during the 2008 Sonsbeek exhibition. Another significant publication, Undone (Jap Sam Books, 2011), edited by curator Mihnea Mircan, presents nine critical reflections on three of van Houwelingen’s recent works, offering further insight into his evolving artistic approach.

Over the years, van Houwelingen’s work has been exhibited internationally, both in galleries and in open public spaces, where he investigates how art can function as a tool for critical reflection and transformation. His projects often involve subtle, yet impactful, modifications to existing monuments, public artworks, or urban environments, offering new perspectives on familiar spaces. These interventions not only question the ideological underpinnings of public art but also serve as catalysts for dialogue about broader political and historical issues.

Through both his artistic endeavors and written contributions, van Houwelingen continues to challenge audiences to think critically about the world around them.