Maybe my work is about dealing with and processing reality. Dealing with your personal world, your small reality and the reality of the big, outside world, that sometimes overpowers your personal world. When a threat from outside is sensible, but not concrete.

Chaos, the unknown, sensory overload, impending doom.
Stories, fantasy, escapism, absurdism, symbolism.
Contrasts.

Born in Venlo 1994
Lives and works in Utrecht (NL)
bentuwilms@gmail.com

EDUCATION
2021-2023 Bachelor of Fine Art and Design in Education deeltijd - HKU, Utrecht
2012-2016 Bachelor of Fine Art - HKU, Utrecht

EXHIBITIONS
2022_Papertrails - Duo show with Susanna Inglada - Kunstlinie, Almere
2022_SwiepSwap Zwoele Zwembadhouse Editie - NAR, Utrecht
2022_BIG ART - Hembrugterrein, Zaandam
2022_Prospects - Art Rotterdam, curated by Johan Gustavsson and Gabi Seiliute
2022_Offline Exhibition - Tinimini Room, Dordrecht

2021_Des espaces autres - Upscale Galerie, Rotterdam
2021_Sticky Notes - Plaatsmaken, Arnhem
2021_Kunstsalon IJL - Galerie Noord, Groningen
2021_Where the winds mean nothing - Raam Maar, Rotterdam

2019_Self Publish or be Damned - Academie Galerie, Utrecht, curated by Bram Nijssen and Ronald Nijhof
2019_Art on Paper, Amsterdam - Galerie Getekend with Emmy Bergsma en Harm van den Berg - curated by Stina van der Ploeg

2018_Expo in Galerie Gemeen-Goed with Birgitt Busz, Abcoude
2018_Streams of Consioussness - Drawing Centre Diepenheim - group exhibition - curated by Nanette Kraaikamp

2017_Walldrawing in shop Swordfish & Friend - A014, Utrecht
2017_Proomfile - EXbunker, Utrecht - solo
2017_Solo Expo - Galerie Joghem, Sanquin, Amsterdam
2017_FILLER - SIGN, Groningen - group exhibition

2016_Expo Cultuur op de Campus - Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen
2016_Selected By… Graduation Show 2016 - Corrosia, Almere - group exhibition
2016_Kleine Zaal: IMKE RUIGROK INVITES: BENTE WILMS – De Vishal, Haarlem – curated by Imke Ruigrok, Annelien Kers
2016_Exposure ‘16 – graduation show HKU – Utrecht – group exhibition


2014_A Creature Called Soft Machine - Impakt - Academiegalerie, Utrecht – group exhibition - curated by Christina Della Guistina, Annette Kraus
2014_.unst - HKU Lange Vie, Utrecht – group exhibition
2014_Luchtkastelen op Sypesteyn – Sypesteyn, Loosdrecht – group exhibition


RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE
2022_Artist Talk and workshop, Papertrails, Kunstlinie, Almere
2021_Sticky Notes - Plaatsmaken, Arnhem, Silkscreen project with Derk Müller, Hannah van der Schaaf, WONNE and Elisa Klabbers led by Harmen Liemburg

Working as an art teacher in primary and secundary education


PRICES AND NOMINATIONS
2016_Nomination - Dooyewaard Stipendium
2016_Nomination - Thesis award - HKU
2020_Mondriaan fund Stipendium for Emerging Artists.

PUBLICATIONS
2022_Murf/Murw Magazine no. 9 - drawing on theme 'Obscuritas'
2019_You wanna be our dog. - Special Edition Zine - Anders Zine
2018_Central Exams Magazine for Visual Arts vmbo, theme ‘Identity’, Cito
2018_coverbeeld Non-Issue #057
2016_HKU Fine Art TWG catalogue

Self published
2021_Where the winds mean nothing. (Zine)
2020_Once Upon a DOOM: the Zine
2016_ART A.K.A. THE WEIRD KID (and his misunderstood life) (Thesis)