Artist statement
Artist Statement
My work explores the relationship between people and their surroundings, and the ways in which we perceive, use and transform the world around us. I am interested in the tensions between care and control, vulnerability and strength, and in the often invisible systems that shape our relationship with the natural and material world.
Material is the starting point for my sculptures and installations. I work with glass, textiles, metal and reclaimed materials, with glass taking an increasingly central role in my practice. I am drawn to properties that can carry meaning: transparency and reflection, fragility and resilience, and traces of use or labour. Materials are never neutral to me; their physical qualities and histories influence how a work develops.
Light, space and the position of the viewer play an important role in my work. Through transparency, reflection and shifting perspectives, a work can reveal itself differently as the viewer moves or the light changes. What appears visible may disappear, while something previously unnoticed can emerge.
Through this interplay, I explore how material can not only take form, but also shift our perception and reveal something about the complex relationship between people and the world around us.
Biography
Jantine Koppert is a visual artist working with sculpture and installation. Her practice has grown from a long-standing investigation into material, nature and the relationship between people and their surroundings. Growing up on a cut-flower nursery shaped her early awareness of the complex interplay between natural processes and human intervention.
Koppert works with glass, textiles, metal and reclaimed materials. After working predominantly with textiles and wire for many years, glass has taken an increasingly important role in her practice. Its transparency, reflection and fragility offer new possibilities for incorporating light, space and perception into her work.
From 2019 to 2026, she studied glass at IKA in Mechelen, Belgium. In 2024, she was nominated for the Stanislav Libenský Award. Her work has been exhibited in the Netherlands and internationally since 2001, including exhibitions in Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Australia.
Selected CV
Visual Artist | sculpture and installation
Education
2024–2026 — IKA, Mechelen, Belgium — Specialisation Degree, Glass
2019–2024 — IKA, Mechelen, Belgium — Fourth Degree, Glass
2005–2006 — Amsterdam University of the Arts — Teacher Training
1994–1999 — Constantijn Huygens Academy, Kampen — Autonomous Visual Arts
Awards & Nominations
2026 — tweede prijs CGS New Graduate Prize and Review
2024 — Nominee, Stanislav Libenský Award, Prague, Czech Republic
Selected Exhibitions
2026 — Graduation Exhibition IKA, Great Beguinage, Ghent, Belgium
2026 — Wondergronds 2.0, Norg, the Netherlands
2026 — Summer Exhibition, St. Nicolaaskerk, Zeerijp, the Netherlands
2025 — Glassrijk Tubbergen, Tubbergen, the Netherlands
2025 — Kunstschouw Zeeland, the Netherlands
2024–2025 — Stanislav Libenský Award, Clam-Gallas Palace, Prague, Czech Republic
2024 — Fort V, Edegem, Belgium
2024 — Glas Leeft!, Leerdam, the Netherlands
2022 — Ablaze, in collaboration with Auke te Nijenhuis, Feest van de Geest, Slochteren, the Netherlands
2018 — Balken en Baksteen, Oezingaheem, Loppersum, the Netherlands
2017 — Nature as Artefact IV, Galerie het Bouwhuis, Lettele, the Netherlands
2015 — Sculptural Felt International, Museum de Kantfabriek, Horst, the Netherlands; Tamworth Regional Gallery and Wollongong Art Gallery, Australia
2008 — Textile Museum St. Gallen, Switzerland
2007 — International textile exhibitions, Angers, France; Heidelberg, Germany; Riga, Latvia
2006 — Contemporary Lace Biennale, Tour & Taxis, Brussels, Belgium
Selected Projects
2022 Ablaze
Installation in collaboration with music producer Auke te Nijenhuis (soundscape)
2018 Burst
Installation in collaboration with Aletta Becker
2012–2015 — Hof van Heden, Kloosterburen, the Netherlands
Three-year art project developed in collaboration with volunteers from the Kloostertuin and commissioned by Stichting SintJan. Developed the concept and planting plan, co-designed with a landscape architect and realised with volunteers.
2013 — Groninger Kerken, Groningen, the Netherlands
Exhibition project with Wianda Keijzer across nine churches in Het Hogeland.
Writing & Publications
2026 — “Afstudeertentoonstelling IKA”, GLAS 26/2
2026 — “Afstudeerexpositie IKA: zeven kunstenaars, zeven visies op glas”, GLAS 26/3
2024 — GLAS 24/2
2024 — GLAS 24/3
2021 — “Bildwerk Frauenau, spil in Europees glasnetwerk”, GLAS 21/3
CV
Education
2019 – 2026 Instituut voor Kunst en Ambacht (IKA), Mechelen, Belgium
1994 – 1999 Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Constantijn Huygens, Kampen, Netherlands
2019 – 2025 Classes flameworking and coldworking at Bildwerk in Frauenau, Germany and from Patrick Roth at Glasfachschule Hadamar, Germany
Nominations
2024 Stanislav Libenský Award
Selected exhibitions
2026
Graduation Exhibition, IKA, Ghent, Belgium
2024
Stanislav Libenský Award Exhibition
Clam-Gallas Palace, Prague, Czech Republic
2015
Sculptural Felt International
Museum de Kantfabriek, Horst, Netherlands
Tamworth Regional Gallery, Australia
Wollongong Art Gallery, Australia
2007
Triënnale arts du tissu et de la tapisserie, Tournai, Belgium
2006 – 2007
Contemporary Lace Biennale
Tour & Taxis, Brussels, Belgium, Textile Museum Angers, France, Textile Museum
Heidelberg, Germany, Textile Museum Riga, Latvia, Textile Museum St. Gallen,
Switzerland
Selected projects
Ablaze (2022)
Collaborative installation with Auke te Nijenhuis, music producer, at the historic church in Slochteren, Netherlands
Burst (2018)
Collaborative site-specific project with Aletta Becker, presented at Oezemaheerd in
Loppersum, Netherlands
Flow (2017)
Solo installation, Galerie Gewaagd, Hornhuizen, Netherlands.
Groninger Kerken Project (2013)
Collaborative project with Wianda Keijzer, presented across nine historic churches in Groningen, Netherlands.
Dancing on Gaia (2012)
Solo installation, Proefstation Pra, Usquert, Netherlands.
Tempus Arti (2003)
Collaborative site-specific project with Joke Elzinga, presented in the ruins of
Seldensate, Sint Michielsgestel, Netherlands
Additional exhibitions
2023–2001
Group exhibitions including: Galerie Noord, Groningen; Kunsthal Hof 88, Almelo; K38,
Roden; Galerie Het Bouwhuis, Lettele; Het Glazen Huis, Amsterdam and others.