about
born in Warga, The Netherlands (1980)
Heleen Haijtema is an intuitive photographer who experiments with both still and moving images. Her images are a combination of staged photography and coincidence with a preference for slightly absurd situations. By working with uncertain conditions – such as wind or light – Heleen creates a capricious factor that she cannot control. This creates unexpected situations within her carefully staged framework. Heleen has started as a conceptual photographer in 2012 and has been exhibiting since 2014

education
2004 – 2007 Film & Videoart | Stedelijke Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten / Antwerpen (Belgium)
1999 – 2000 Art Academie – Propedeuse | Minerva / Groningen (The Netherlands)

exhibition
coming up / duo exhibition | Campis, Assen (in collaboration with Tryntsje Nauta)
2024 / Fresh Eyes | Haute Photographie, Amsterdam
2024 / Group exhibition ‘PET SHOP’ | Kunsthal Gent, Gent (Belgium)
2024 / Group exhibition ‘tijdgenoten’ | Larry Gall, CW12, Zwolle
2023 / Exhibition ‘Nachtschade’ MuseumnachtFRL | Fries Museum, Leeuwarden
2023 / Online exhibition ‘Exploring Shapes and Colours’ | ARTDOC Photography Magazine
2023 / Group exhibition ‘Salon’ | WEP, Groningen
2023 / Group exhibition ‘Women in Art’ | Kiekie Art, Amsterdam
2022 / Group exhibition ’NEW VISION’ | Atelier k84, Amsterdam
2022 / Solo exhibition ‘Windstil’ | Beeldmix, Fries Scheepvaart Museum, Sneek
2021 / Pop up store & exhibition | Ben zo Terug, Leeuwarden
2021 / Video ‘my poetry is the world’ | ARTisBOOK – Gallerie Block C, Groningen
2021 / Group exhibition ‘thuis’ | Museum MOW, Bellingwolde
2021 / Online solo exhibition | Art Yourself Studio, New York City (USA)
2020 / Permanent exhibition ‘Hoogseizoen’ | De Westerkerk, Leeuwarden
2019 / Group exhibition ‘LUST’ | Het Melklokaal, Heerenveen
2019 / Exhibition ’11 Fountains’ | Noorderlicht, CBK Emmen (in collaboration with Tryntsje Nauta)
2019 / Part of ‘atelier collectie’ | CBK kunstuitleen, Groningen
2019 / Exhibition ‘Peepshow’ | Neushoorn, Leeuwarden
2018 / Group exhibition, ‘Friend or Foe’ | FryslanPhoto Festival, Leeuwarden
2018 / Group exhibition ‘Collage’ | Pakhuis Dekker, Heiloo
2018 / Exhibition ‘Hoogseizoen’ | Rijnstate, Arnhem
2018 / Group exhibition, ‘I LOVE MAKKUM’ | Makkum Art, Makkum
2017 / Exhibition ‘Hoogseizoen’ | Pand drie&zestig, Groningen (in collaboration with Bouke Groen)
2017 / Group exhibition, ‘I LOVE MAKKUM’ | FryslanPhoto Festival, Leeuwarden
2017 / Art installation ‘Bovenlicht’ | Grasnapolsky, Radio Kootwijk (in collaboration with Bouke Groen)
2016 / Art installation ‘Venster’ | FestiValderAa, Schipborg (in collaboration with Bouke Groen)
2015 / Group exhibition ‘Avonturen op het Land’ | Fotomuseum Den Haag (in collaboration with Tryntsje Nauta)
2014 / Exhibition project ‘Skimer’- Iceland | Explore the North, Leeuwarden (in collaboration with four other artists)

artist in residence
2023 / ‘Nachtschade’ | Camping Buitenland, Zandpol
2020 / ‘Kompost’ | Galerie Nuweland, Oosterzee (in collaboration with Marcel Caron)
2020 / Quarantaine Self Air | Terschelling
2014 / ‘Skimer’ – one month project | Iceland (in collaboration with four other artists)

grant
2023 / Cultuurfonds | project ‘Nachtschade’

publications
2024 / Fresh Eyes volume 2 | GUP magazine
2024 / boeken & wetenschap | de Volkskrant
2023 / portfolio | ARTDOC photography magazine
2023 / ‘Be Here’ | ARTisBOOK
2023 / ‘Women in Art’ | Volkskrant Magazine
2023 / ‘Women in Art’ | cover Kiekie Tabloid
2022 / Grote Nederlandse Kunst Kalender 2022
2021 / LFK Magazine
2020 / interview & portfolio | De Moanne
2020 / ‘Home Alone’ (survival guide of boredom) | Max Siedentopf
2020 / Famke C kalender | Famke C
2020 / KVEIK etiket | Grutte Pier Brouwerij
2019 / after video | Welcome to the Village (in collaboration with Froukje van Wengerden)
2019 / ‘Under de Toer’ | Uitgeverij Bornmeer – Noordboek

other
2024 / member of the Board of WEP, Groningen
2024 / part of the artistic team Kunsten Centrum De Ploeg, Groningen
2023 / part of art community Kuuunst, Drenthe
2023 / jurymember Best Videoclip | Friese Popawards, Leeuwarden
2022 / nominee Best Videoclip NIEMANDSLAND | Friese Popawards, Leeuwarden
2020 / photography lesson – workshop | BijVrijdag, Groningen
2020 / photography workshop | Fotofabriek, Leeuwarden
2018 / portfolio presentation | De Mus, Amsterdam
2018 / jurymember Photography contest | Into Nature, Frederiksoord
2013 – 2016 / part of Art Initiative VHDG, Leeuwarden

collections
Rijnstate, Arnhem
Rijksoverheid, Assen
Fotomuseum, Den Haag
private collectors