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Curriculum Vitae

STUDIO PROFILE

Hilde NIJS (BE)

  • Studio Address: Aalstersesteenweg 121, 9400 Ninove, Belgium

  • Contact: hildenijs@gmail.com | +32 (0)476 43 82 72

  • Digital Archives: hildenijs.com | instagram.com

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  • CHRONOLOGY & ATELIER PRACTICE

  • 1984–Present — Professional Contemporary Visual Artist, NIJS Art Studio, Ninove (BE)

  • 1974 — Founder & Director, Centrum voor Experimentele Kunst, Roosdaal (BE)

  • 1972–1974 — Establishment of Independent Studio Practice, Roosdaal (BE)​

 

ACADEMIC FOUNDATIONS & MENTORSHIP

  • Studies under Lydia Van Liefferinge (Direct student of Surrealist Master Paul Delvaux)

  • Imelda Instituut, Brussels (BE) — Fine Arts & Architectural Arts

  • Stedelijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten, Aalst (BE) — Fine Arts, Life Drawing & Anatomical Studies, Ceramics

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SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS & MONUMENTAL PRESENTATIONS

  • 2025 — Le Cavalier des Pensées (Homage to Leopold Flam), Solo exhibition in project 'Zorgzaam omgaan met Leopold Flam', Filosofiehuis Het Zoekend Hert, Antwerp

  • 2022 — Wake Up! Imagination Free (Stakeholders for a Human and Connected World), Monumental Site-Specific Installation, 26 01 2022, Biënnale van België / S.M.A.K. (Museum of Contemporary Art), Ghent (BE) 19 12 2021 tot 30 01 2022

  • 2020 — #Identiteit #Intimiteit #Connectiviteit #Diversiteit, Solo Exhibition, CC Casino, Beringen (BE)

  • 2010–2011 — Correlation of Arts, Duo Presentation with Mark Eyskens, Koninklijk Conservatorium, Brussels (BE) [

  • 1996 — LeeuwArt, Guest of Honour Solo Presentation (Ceramics), Sint-Pieters-Leeuw (BE) 

  • 1988 — Ceramics in the Window, Head Office Kredietbank Brussels, Brussels

  • 1986 — Oosters getint, Kunstgalerij ‘t Apostelken, Aalst (BE)

  • 1984 — De Goepta’s, ’t Klokhuis, Ninove (BE)

  • 1982 — The Gupta Dynasty, Belfortkelder, Aalst (BE)

  • 1981 — The Wondrous World of the Guptas, with Poet Koen Stassijns, De Koepoort, Ninove (BE)

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​​MONUMENTAL PROJECTS (As Visual Artist & Art Curator)

  • 2026 — huMANNidentities - De Toverberg Verbeeld 

    • Role: Group exhibition of contemporary art curated by Visual Artist & Art Curator Hilde NIJS]. Organized on the occasion of MANN2025, the worldwide commemoration of Nobel Prize laureate Thomas MANN (150 years) and The Magic Mountain (100 years)

    • Finissage & Program: Finissage featuring a philosophical perspective on art, seen through the eyes of Thomas Mann and Leopold Flam, and analyzed by Dr. Benny Madalijns (Author, Doctor of Letters and Philosophy). Musical performance by trumpeter/conductor Rik Ghesquiere.

    • Participating Artists & Academics: Tom Liekens, Denitsa Todorova, Nicolas Baeyens, Vadim Vosters, Ronny Delrue, Reniere&Depla, Virginie Bailly, Nancy Slangen, Michael S.L. Vandorpe, Benny Madalijns, Herman Maes, Freddy De Vierman, Koen Deprez, Nel Bonte, Guy Slabbynck, a.o.

    • Location & Date: Galerie Humanistisch Verbond, Antwerp (BE), 01 12 2025 – 15 02 2026.

  • 2025 — huMANNidentities - De Toverberg Verbeeld

    • Role: Group exhibition of contemporary art curated by Visual Artist & Art Curator Hilde NIJS [G19]. Organized on the occasion of MANN2025, the worldwide commemoration of Nobel Prize laureate Thomas MANN (150 years) and The Magic Mountain (100 years) 

    • Participating Artists: Tom Liekens, Denitsa Todorova, Nicolas Baeyens, Vadim Vosters, Ronny Delrue, Reniere&Depla, Virginie Bailly, Nancy Slangen, Michael S.L. Vandorpe, Benny Madalijns, Herman Maes, Freddy De Vierman, Koen Deprez, Nel Bonte, Guy Slabbynck, a.o.

    • Location & Date: Galerie Humanistisch Verbond, Antwerp (BE), 01 12 2025 – 15 02 2026.

  • 2025 — Onder het Melkwoud

    • Role: Group exhibition of contemporary art curated by Visual Artist & Art Curator Hilde NIJS in collaboration with Hans Theys 

    • Participating Artists: Tom Liekens, Virginie Bailly, Denitsa Todorova, Hadrien Loumaye, Peter Jacquemyn, Idris Sevenans, Clément-Jacques Vossen, Simon Masschelein, Viktoria Parvanova, Fran Van Coppenolle, Joost Pauwaert, a.o.

    • Organization: A.A.P. Actueel Art Platform, in collaboration with Cultuur Ninove.

    • Date: 03 10 – 19 10 2025​​​​​

  • 2024 — SATAWACAFA

    • Role: Group exhibition of contemporary art curated by Visual Artist & Art Curator Hilde NIJS in collaboration with Willem Elias 

    • Participating Artists: Johan Tahon, Nancy Slangen, Ronny Delrue, Ulrike Bolenz, Vadim Vosters, Philippe Balleux, Francis Denys, Jo Desmedt, Hugo Roelandt, Renato Nicolodi, a.o.

    • Organization: A.A.P. Actueel Art Platform, in collaboration with the Department of Culture Ninove.

    • Date: 18 10 – 03 11 2024.​

  • 2023 — AAP

    • Role: Group exhibition of contemporary art featuring 30 artists, curated by Visual Artist & Art Curator Hilde NIJS [

    • Participating Artists: Nicolas Baeyens, Hadrien Loumaye, Francis Denys, Magda Amarioarei, Leen Van Tichelen, Nel Bonte, Stijn De Pourcq, a.o.

    • Organization: A.A.P. Actueel Art Platform, in collaboration with the Department of Culture Ninove.

    • Date: 25 08 – 03 09 2023.​

  • 2022 — ARTCuMuL, Correlation of the Contemporary Arts

    • Role: Curated by Visual Artist & Art Curator Hilde NIJS alongside Hans Theys

    • Participating Artists: Hans Theys, Koen Deprez, Jo De Smedt, Bart Maris, Peter Jacquemyn, a.o.

    • Organization & Date: Actueel Art Platform (A.A.P.), in collaboration with the Department of Culture Ninove, 27 10 2022 – 06 11 2022.

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​​DeKANTFABRIEK CYCLES (As Visual Artist & Artistic Creator)

(The definitive archive of site-specific total-environments generated during the five-year spatial residence)

  • 2019 — DeKANTFABRIEK: #Intimiteit #Identiteit

    • Role: Visual Artist & Artistic Creator Hilde NIJS [G19]

    • Collaborations & Dialogues: With Prof. Dr. Paul Verhaeghe (Psychoanalyst, public intellectual, and bestselling author of Identity, Authority, Intimacy, and Love in Times of Loneliness) discussing his latest book "Intimacy". Featuring "Carnets de Voyage" by contemporary composer Georges De Decker, performed by clarinetist Raf De Keninck. Featuring "Brave New Maria" with Kristien Hemmerechts, Bart Maris, and Sylvie De Pauw.

    • Invited Artists by Hilde NIJS: Peter Bracke | Mieke D'hondt | Joke De Pever | Maëlle Dufour | Nico Van Dijck | Stijn van Hoof and Robin Wen.

    • Location & Date: Ninove (BE), 06 09 2019 – 06 10 2019.

  • 2018 — DeKANTFABRIEK: ART COnnects (?)

    • Role: Visual Artist & Artistic Creator Hilde NIJS

    • Collaborations & Dialogues: With Prof. Dr. Dirk De Wachter (Psychiatrist, public intellectual, and bestselling author of Borderline Times, a.o.) discussing "The World of De Wachter", alongside art historian Isolde De Buck. Presentation by VRT host Clara De Decker. Featuring "Carnets de Voyage" by contemporary composer Georges De Decker, performed by clarinetist Raf De Keninck. With Prof. Dr. Paul Verhaeghe (Psychoanalyst, public intellectual, and bestselling author) discussing art icon Louise Bourgeois, whose diaries he was permitted to analyze.

    • Invited Artists by Hilde NIJS: George De Decker | Joke De Pever | Marc Van Cauwenbergh | Chihiro Kondo | Nicolas Baeyens | Filip Collin | Charlot Van Geert | Jeroen Bocken | Karolien Hamers | Gaspard Joarlette | Denie Put and Jean De Groote.

    • Location & Date: Ninove (BE), 08 09 2018 – 14 10 2018.

  • 2018 — DeKANTFABRIEK: ACROSS BORDERS

    • Role: Visual Artist & Artistic Creator Hilde NIJS 

    • Collaborations & Dialogues: With Inge Braeckman (Poet, art critic, and curator of the 51st Venice Biennale), alongside percussion duo As One featuring Jessica Peel and Birgit Eecloo. Featuring Narafi Brussels film school with the Sci-Fi short film "Brick in the wall".

    • Invited Artists by Hilde NIJS: Anna Gray (NL), Julie Scheurweghs, Marijke Henkens, Féline Minne, Nicolas Baeyens, Ilan Weiss, Gino Rizzi, An Vanderlinden a.o.

    • Location & Date: Ninove (BE), 02 06 2018 – 01 07 2018.

  • 2017 — DeKANTFABRIEK: AUTHORITY, BottomUP

    • Role: Visual Artist & Artistic Creator Hilde NIJS]

    • Collaborations & Dialogues: With psychoanalyst Prof. Dr. Paul Verhaeghe, Dr. Françoise Vanhecke (Soprano/researcher), and art critic Daan Rau.

    • Invited Artists by Hilde NIJS: Hugo Roelandt, Paul Van Gysegem, Gino Rizzi, Nel Bonte, Paul De Ryck, Mr Donka; poet Koen Stassijns; Jazz Trio Paul Van Gysegem featuring Chris Joris and Patrick De Groote.

    • Location: Ninove (BE).

  • 2016 — DeKANTFABRIEK: EndlessFlow, EndlessTIME

    • Role: Visual Artist & Artistic Creator Hilde NIJS 

    • Collaborations & Dialogues: With ethical philosopher Ignaas Devisch; art critic, publicist, and chair of HISK Willem Elias; artist-author/poet Stefaan Van den Bremt; composer George De Decker; and composer Maarten Van Ingelgem performed by the Odysseia Ensemble.

    • Invited Artists by Hilde NIJS: George De Decker, Solange Abbiati, Emiel De Roover, Marc Galle.

    • Location: Ninove (BE).

  • 2015 — DeKANTFABRIEK: IDENTITEIT zonder grenzenv

    • Role: Visual Artist & Artistic Creator Hilde NIJS

    • Collaborations & Dialogues: With psychoanalyst Prof. Dr. Paul Verhaeghe and author-poet-Klara producer Bart Stouten.

    • Invited Artists by Hilde NIJS: Annelies Slabbynck, Jo Backe; F&F featuring Monica Florescu (Pianist) and Makcim Fernandez Samodaïev (Cellist); Jean Van Der Schueren (Guitarist), "Ode to writer/composer Willy Roggeman", featuring a free jazz concert by Paul Van Gysegem, Marc Van den Hoof, Bart Maris, and Firmin Timmermans.

    • Location: Ninove (BE).

  • PROJECT: My Identity Rooms & The Connected World 

    • Year: 2014–2019 — DeKANTFABRIEK, Ninove (BE)

    • Role: Lead Visual Artist & Artistic Creator

    • Visual Contribution: Creation of the life-sized, walk-through architectural installation My Identity Room (scale 1:1) and the museum-scale presentation of 28 Ceramic Sculptures, brought into relation with Prof. Dr. Paul Verhaeghe, Prof. Dr. Dirk De Wachter, Prof. Dr. Willem Elias, Prof. Dr. Ignaas Devisch and Dr. Françoise Van Hecke.

  • PROJECT: #Intimiteit #Identiteit

    • Year: 2019 — DeKANTFABRIEK, Ninove (BE)

    • Role: Visual Artist & Artistic Creator

    • Visual Contribution: Major architectural and studio installations reflecting on human intimacy and social alienation, featuring Maëlle Dufour, Nico Van Dijck, Stijn van Hoof, Robin Wen, a.o. with Prof. Dr. Paul Verhaeghe, Daan Rau

  • PROJECT: ART COnnects (?)

    • Year: 2018 — DeKANTFABRIEK, Ninove (BE)

    • Role: Visual Artist & Artistic Creator

    • Visual Contribution: Deeply layered canvas works and material cross-pollinations, featuring Nicolas Baeyens, Marc Van Cauwenbergh, Jean De Groote, Denie Put, a.o.

  • PROJECT: ACROSS BORDERS

    • Year: 2018 — DeKANTFABRIEK, Ninove (BE)

    • Role: Visual Artist & Artistic Creator 

    • Visual Contribution: Tactical physical environments fusing textiles, gold leaf, and iron into the industrial space, featuring Nicolas Baeyens, Féline Minne, Ilan Weiss, a.o.with Prof. Dr. Dirk De Wachter​

      • Visual Contribution: Spatial installations combining industrial ready-mades with structural drawings, featuring Hugo Roelandt, Paul Van Gysegem, Nel Bonte, a.o. and Prof. Dr. Willem Elias.

  • PROJECT: EndlessFlow, EndlessTIME

    • Year: 2016 — DeKANTFABRIEK, Ninove (BE)

    • Role: Visual Artist & Artistic Creator 

    • Visual Contribution: Monumental installations, featuring George De Decker, a.o. and Prof. Dr. Ignaas Devisch

  • PROJECT: IDENTITEIT zonder grenzen

    • Year: 2015 — DeKANTFABRIEK, Ninove (BE)

    • Role: Visual Artist & Artistic Creator 

    • Visual Contribution: Large-scale 1/1 Identity Rooms with tactile painting cycles and organic installations, featuring Annelies Slabbynck, Jo Bracke, a.o., with Prof. Dr. Paul Verhaeghe and Bart Stouten

 

​SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS & INSTITUTIONAL SELECTIONS

  • 2022 — (Dis)Connected, 4th Triennial of Contemporary Art, UPC Duffel / Art Ghent, Duffel (BE)

  • 2022 — Art Ghent, Stedelijke Kunstacademie Waregem, Waregem (BE)

  • 2021 — #apaperaday21, Contemporary Drawing Selection, Kunstwerkt (BE) — Selected and juried by Shervin/e Sheikh Rezaei

  • 2021 — Atelier in Beeld, National Curated Studio Selection, Kunstwerkt, Flanders & Brussels (BE)

  • 2021 — Colours in the Sky, Public Space Banner Project, CC Beringen, Beringen (BE)

  • 2021 — Art Ghent, CC De Ververij, Ronse (BE)

  • 2021 — Door to Door, Artistic and Civic Experiment, State of the Arts & Hart boven Hard, Ninove (BE)

  • 2021 — CASCO: Contemporary Art, Public Exhibition Space, Ninove (BE)

  • 2020 — WijWijWij.Zorg, Artistic Solidarity Project during the pandemic, Vermeylenfonds, Ghent (BE)

  • 2013 — Voorjaarsexpo Hedendaagse Moderne Kunst, Art-Hill Galerie, De Haan (BE)

  • 2008 — Kunst met Passie, Kasteel Steenhout, Vollezele (BE)

  • 2006 — Kunst en Luxe, Domein Baron Empain, Enghien (BE)

  • 2002 — Permanent Exhibition, Galerij Classic Art House, Brussels (BE)

  • 1997 — Kunst rond kunst?, De Warande, Turnhout / Liedekerke (BE)

  • 1988 — Lumière, Musée de l’Architecture, Liège (BE)

  • 1988 — Art Exhibition & Auction, v.z.w. De Poel, Schepdaal (BE)

  • 1985 — Overzichtstentoonstelling, Public Space, Roosdaal (BE)

  • 1984 — Verbonden, Kasteel Wijnegem, Antwerp (BE)

  • 1984 — Sélection, Le Salon des Nations, Paris (FR)

  • 1982 — Kunst en Cultuur, CC Abdij Affligem, Affligem (BE)

  • 1981 — Vlaams-Brabantse Kunstenaars, WZC Henri Vander Stokken, Pepingen (BE)

  • 1981 — Design, Facta Gallery, Ternat (BE) (Exhibiting alongside Frans Minnaert, Roland Monteyne, and Yves Rhayé)]

  • 1980 — Art Fair, Kasteel van Schoten, Antwerp (BE)

  • 1980 — Kunstcollectie, Gemeentekrediet Brussels, Brussels (BE)

  • 1980 — Ontmoeting, CC Westrand, Dilbeek (BE)

  • 1977 — Kunstenaars uit het Pajottenland, Liedekerke (BE)

  • 1976 — Openluchttentoonstelling, Culturele Raad Ninove, Ninove (BE)

  • 1974 — Kunstenaars uit het Ninoofse, Cultuurraad Ninove, Ninove (BE)

  • 1974 — Kunst in ons midden, Roosdaal (BE)

 

​SELECTED INSTITUTIONAL & CURATORIAL PROJECTS (Exclusively as Curator)

  • 2026 — CASCO|26, Contemporary group exhibition featuring 48 artists, commissioned by the Department of Culture, Ninove (BE) [

  • 2025 — CASCO|25, Contemporary group exhibition featuring 50 artists, commissioned by the Department of Culture, Ninove (BE)

  • 2024 — Willy Roggeman: Paintings on Paper, Curated in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Jurgen Pieters (Ghent University), University Library Ghent & Actueel Art Platform (A.A.P.), Ninove (BE)

  • 2024 — CASCO|24, Contemporary group exhibition, commissioned by the Department of Culture, Ninove (BE) 

 

​MONUMENTAL PUBLIC COMMISSIONS & PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

  • 2009 — Hebban Olla Vogala, Painting, Private Collection, Zeiningen (CH)

  • 1997 — De Pauwel, Stained Glass Architectural Window, Town Hall Galmaarden (BE)

  • 1996 — Mooie dagen komen altijd terug, over 100 unique hand-painted Stained Glass Windows on the occasion of the East Flanders Fire Brigade Federation Provincial Congress in Ninove (BE)

  • 1995 — Stream, Architectural Stained Glass (Council Chamber), Town Hall Galmaarden (BE)

  • 1995 — Urbanisation, Architectural Stained Glass (Main Desk), Town Hall Galmaarden (BE)

  • 1994 — Gebroken Brood, Architectural Stained Glass, Sacristy of the St. Martinus Church, Strijtem (BE)

  • 1993 — Steunende Handen, Bas-Relief Ceramic Sculpture, Entrance Hall WZC Onze-Lieve-Vrouw, Roosdaal (BE)

  • 1992 — Onafscheidelijk Maria en Jozef, Two Monumental Church Windows, Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Kattem (BE)

  • 1992 — Madonna and Child, Architectural Stained Glass, Chapel WZC Onze-Lieve-Vrouw, Roosdaal (BE)

  • 1991 — Backward Glances, Painting, Private Collection Brian Fowley, Glasgow (UK)

  • 1989 — The Good Shepherd / Mary visits Elisabeth / The Presentation in the Temple, Three Monumental Architectural Church Windows, Church of St. John the Evangelist, Affligem (BE)

 

INSTITUTIONAL COMMITTAL & JURY SELECTIONS

  • 2019–Present — Chair, Actueel Art Platform (A.A.P.) & Kunst- en Cultuurraad, Ninove (BE)

  • 2013 — Juror Painting Category, prestigious Concours Fondation Godecharle / Godecharle Awards, Brussels (BE)

  • 2009–2013 — Artistic Collaborator & Public Liaison, Charlemagne Orchestra for Europe, Brussels (BE)

  • 2008–2025 — Chair, ARTesMusica, Contemporary Arts Society, Ninove (BE)

  • 1974 — Director & Founder, Centrum voor Experimentele Kunst, Roosdaal (BE)

 

​LITERARY PERMISSIONS & TEXTUAL APPROVALS

(Official canvas authorization granted by key literary figures for the integration of poetry into the artist's visual work)

  • Mark Eyskens (Author & Poet) — Authorization granted for the poem Onvermoeibare tijd (Leuven, 2009)

  • Lera Auerbach (Composer & Poet) — Authorization granted for the poem Conductor (New York, 2009)

  • Hugo Claus (Author & Poet) — Authorization granted for the poem Lucrétius and signature endorsement (Antwerp, 2006)

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SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY & MEDIA

  • ZiN Magazine (NL) — 'Vlaamse trendsetters over Hollandse smaak' (Feature profiling Hilde NIJS as leading visual art pioneer alongside chef Peter Goossens, designer Anna Heylen, and architect Frederik Jacobs) — No. 10, September 2017, p. 27.

  • Revue svetovej literatúry (SK) — Cover artwork feature for the World Literature Journal, published by the Slovak Association of Literary Translators, Bratislava — Issue 3/2015.

  • All you need is Lef (BE) — Official cover design and artwork for the novel by Freek Neirynck, Artus Publishing, Antwerp — 2013.

  • Vlaams-Brabant Magazine (BE) — Contemporary feature 'In de ban van het licht', No. 5-1995, pp. 34-39.

  • Kunstambachten Brabant (BE) — Monograph published by the Provincial Committee for Art Crafts of Brabant (Stained Glass feature p. 12, Ceramics feature p. 22) — June 1989.

  • Wie is wie in Vlaanderen (BE) — Biographical Encyclopedia of leading figures, First Edition, p. 689 — 1980.

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