Statement
About
CV
 

Artist Statement


Rachel’s work originates in painting and drawing on canvas, paper and iPad, and extends naturally to walls in public space. Beginning in the studio, the work moves outward into the world. By working across different scales — from intimate drawings to architectural surfaces — a dialogue emerges between autonomous work and interventions in public space.


Rachel explores the skin of surfaces: the place where colour, brushstroke and detail generate meaning. In site-specific works, context plays a central role. History, architecture and the particular conditions of a location are carefully read and integrated, while the painterly process remains at the core of the work.


In this way, the surface becomes a site of encounter between image, space and perception.



About

Observation lies at the heart of her work. Growing up with deaf parents, visual perception became an early and essential way of understanding the world. Sensitivity to nuance, body language and atmosphere developed naturally and continues to inform how she observes, researches and develops imagery.


In her projects, the relationship between artwork and environment is central. History, architecture and the use of a place are carefully read and integrated. Through colour, graphic clarity and painterly layering, her work results in site-specific interventions that are present without overpowering — playful and poetic, yet considered.


Rachel works both autonomously and on commission, realizing context-driven projects in public space alongside studio-based work.

 

CV

Rachel van Balen (NL) is a visual artist working with murals, paintings and drawings, both autonomously and on commission. Her practice increasingly focuses on context-specific projects in public space.

Practice

Rachel primarily works in the Netherlands and is open to international collaborations. She has previously realised work in Australia and presented work in Belgium, France and Germany.

  • • Frank Mohr Institute, Master of Fine Arts (Painting), Groningen — 2006

    • Minerva Art Academy, Autonomous Fine Art, Groningen — 2004

    • Classical Academy, Sculpture Basic Course, Groningen — 2008

  • • Ameland Lighthouse

    • temporary mural on a 55-metre-high lighthouse (Ameland 2016)

    • permanent exhibition inside the lighthouse (Ameland, 2016 till now)

    • Nature Center Ameland / Stichting Amelander Musea

    • full interior painting of an immersive multimedia aquarium space including ceiling (2019)

    • painting connecting access corridors (2020, 2025)

    • full interior and exterior painting of an 18-metre-long concrete blue whale sculpture (2024)

    • Housing Corporation Nijestee

    • commission for a 9x9 meters street art project (Poortersplein Groningen 2024)

    • interior painting of a full stairwell in three four-storey apartment buildings, Groningen (Oosterparkwijk 2025, Paddepoel 2025, Selwerd 2023)

    • Housing Corporation Wierden en Borgen

    • interior and exterior project for senior housing complex De Walfridushof (Bedum 2025)

    • Municipality of Groningen en Terschelling

    • Street Art Rivierenbuurt, selected community mural project (2025)

    • two large-scale paintings in the city hall (West-Terschelling, 2026)

  • • Kunstmaand Ameland

    • presentation of the Ameland Lighthouse project (2016)

    • exhibition of paintings and animation, and presentation of murals at the Nature Center (2021)

    • Galerie Pictura

    • solo exhibition (Groningen, 2015)

    • groupshow ‘Bevings’ (Groningen, 2021)

    • Martinihal

    • groupshow ‘BowieLesque’ (Groningen, 2015)

    • groupshow ‘I am Beautiful’ (Gronigen, 2017)

    • groupshow ‘We Will Rock You’ (Groningen, 2019)

  • • Artist in Residence and course teacher, Bildwerk Frauenau (Frauenau, DE, 2012)

    • Winner of the design competition for Ameland Lighthouse (Ameland 2016)

    • Winner of the design competition for Street Art Rivierenbuurt (Groningen 2015)

    • Audience Award (2014), leading to a solo exhibition at Galerie Pictura (2015)

  • Rachel’s work has been featured in publications on Ameland, De Vuurboet, and in media such as NRC, Dagblad van het Noorden, De Ommelander and De Amelander, as well as broadcasts including Jeugdjournaal, Landinwaarts, RTV Noord, Omrop Fryslân and OOG TV.