Kieke Kurstjens

foraging visual artist

Kieke Kurstjens (2003) is born and raised in the hilly landscape of Nijmegen, gathering chestnuts, foraging berries, and experiencing the magic of fireflies. She looked at her surroundings with wonder. Once she moved to Rotterdam, this view flattened, both literally and figuratively.

While walking and collecting, Kieke rediscovers her wonder for the species, forms, and interactions of her immediate surrounding. In the repetition of her actions; by returning to the same place, using the same vase, or limiting herself to a specific biotope, narratives emerge. Inspired by the old masters, she is fascinated by the still life. She photographs spontaneous vegetation, creates bouquets with flowers from the roadside, and uses video installations and the wind to bring nature back to life.

In 2025, Kieke graduated cum laude from the Fine Arts & Photography Honours Programme at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. Her graduation work ‘the Golden Gaze’, a series of living still lifes, was selected by Galerie Ron Mandos for the Best of Graduates 2025 and scouted by Galerie Helder for the exhibition ‘Next’. Furthermore, she exhibited with the talent program de Belofte #21, at Ballon Rouge Rotterdam, and received financial support from the Van den Ende Foundation.