ARTIST STATEMENT
About my current works. The fascination with the graphic and the interaction between light and shadow
remains a guiding theme in my artistic process. Creating a dynamic relationship between art,
space, and the viewer is essential for me, and I aim to achieve this through both traditional and
experimental techniques. Glass allows me to play with color and transparency, while also
suggesting spatial depth and movement.
Flame worked glass, where glass is hand-formed and manipulated with heat, has taught me how
fragile yet powerful the material can be. The precision required in this craft, combined with the
creative freedom it offers, makes it an ideal medium to bring my vision to life.
My work constantly explores the balance between form and function, light and dark, aesthetics
and architecture, inviting the viewer to actively engage with the experience.
In addition to my work with glass, I also create ceramic sculptures, where the same elements of
graphic lines, rhythm, repetition, abstraction and contrast play a central role.
Ceramics give me the opportunity to experiment with different materials and techniques, yet the
principle of spatial interaction remains the same.
I aim to create works that are not only visually captivating but also engage in a meaningful
dialogue with their surroundings and the people who experience them.
My artistic journey is a continuous search for ways to reinterpret materials and reshape space,
with each piece engaging in a conversation with its environment and viewer.
-
Over mijn huidige werken. De fascinatie voor het grafische en de interactie tussen licht en schaduw
blijft een rode draad in mijn artistiek proces. Het creëren van een dynamiek tussen kunst, ruimte,
en toeschouwer is voor mij essentieel, en ik probeer dit te bereiken door gebruik te maken van
zowel traditionele als experimentele technieken.
Glas biedt me de mogelijkheid om niet alleen te
spelen met kleur en transparantie, maar ook om ruimtelijke diepte en beweging te suggereren.
Flame working, waarbij glas met de hand wordt gevormd en gemanipuleerd door warmte, heeft
me geleerd hoe fragiel en krachtig het materiaal glas kan zijn. De ambachtelijke precisie die nodig
is, gecombineerd met de ruimte voor creatieve vrijheid, maakt het een ideaal medium om mijn
visie tot leven te brengen.
Mijn werk zoekt altijd de grens op tussen vorm en functie, licht en donker, esthetiek en
architectuur, waardoor de toeschouwer wordt uitgenodigd om actief deel te nemen aan de
ervaring.
Naast mijn werk met glas maak ik ook keramische sculpturen, waarin dezelfde elementen van
grafische lijnen, ritme, herhaling, abstractie en contrast een centrale rol spelen.
Keramiek biedt me de mogelijkheid om met andere materialen en technieken te experimenteren,
maar het principe van ruimtelijke interactie blijft hetzelfde. Zo creëer ik werken die niet alleen visueel
aantrekkelijk zijn alsook een diepgaande dialoog aangaan met hun omgeving en de mensen die ze
ervaren.
Mijn artistieke reis is een voortdurende zoektocht naar manieren om materialen te herinterpreteren
en ruimte opnieuw vorm te geven, waarbij elk werk een dialoog aangaat met zijn omgeving en de
toeschouwer.
About my current works. The fascination with the graphic and the interaction between light and shadow
remains a guiding theme in my artistic process. Creating a dynamic relationship between art,
space, and the viewer is essential for me, and I aim to achieve this through both traditional and
experimental techniques. Glass allows me to play with color and transparency, while also
suggesting spatial depth and movement.
Flame worked glass, where glass is hand-formed and manipulated with heat, has taught me how
fragile yet powerful the material can be. The precision required in this craft, combined with the
creative freedom it offers, makes it an ideal medium to bring my vision to life.
My work constantly explores the balance between form and function, light and dark, aesthetics
and architecture, inviting the viewer to actively engage with the experience.
In addition to my work with glass, I also create ceramic sculptures, where the same elements of
graphic lines, rhythm, repetition, abstraction and contrast play a central role.
Ceramics give me the opportunity to experiment with different materials and techniques, yet the
principle of spatial interaction remains the same.
I aim to create works that are not only visually captivating but also engage in a meaningful
dialogue with their surroundings and the people who experience them.
My artistic journey is a continuous search for ways to reinterpret materials and reshape space,
with each piece engaging in a conversation with its environment and viewer.
-
Over mijn huidige werken. De fascinatie voor het grafische en de interactie tussen licht en schaduw
blijft een rode draad in mijn artistiek proces. Het creëren van een dynamiek tussen kunst, ruimte,
en toeschouwer is voor mij essentieel, en ik probeer dit te bereiken door gebruik te maken van
zowel traditionele als experimentele technieken.
Glas biedt me de mogelijkheid om niet alleen te
spelen met kleur en transparantie, maar ook om ruimtelijke diepte en beweging te suggereren.
Flame working, waarbij glas met de hand wordt gevormd en gemanipuleerd door warmte, heeft
me geleerd hoe fragiel en krachtig het materiaal glas kan zijn. De ambachtelijke precisie die nodig
is, gecombineerd met de ruimte voor creatieve vrijheid, maakt het een ideaal medium om mijn
visie tot leven te brengen.
Mijn werk zoekt altijd de grens op tussen vorm en functie, licht en donker, esthetiek en
architectuur, waardoor de toeschouwer wordt uitgenodigd om actief deel te nemen aan de
ervaring.
Naast mijn werk met glas maak ik ook keramische sculpturen, waarin dezelfde elementen van
grafische lijnen, ritme, herhaling, abstractie en contrast een centrale rol spelen.
Keramiek biedt me de mogelijkheid om met andere materialen en technieken te experimenteren,
maar het principe van ruimtelijke interactie blijft hetzelfde. Zo creëer ik werken die niet alleen visueel
aantrekkelijk zijn alsook een diepgaande dialoog aangaan met hun omgeving en de mensen die ze
ervaren.
Mijn artistieke reis is een voortdurende zoektocht naar manieren om materialen te herinterpreteren
en ruimte opnieuw vorm te geven, waarbij elk werk een dialoog aangaat met zijn omgeving en de
toeschouwer.
BIOGRAPHY
Christine Vanoppen
Visual artist
Born in Hasselt (Belgium) on the 14th of December 1962
Oude Baan , 154 - 2820 Bonheiden - Belgium
Phone +32 476554146
Mail
www.christinevanoppen.be
Education
77-80 Hasselt, Institute St.Lucas, dep. Visual Arts
80-85 Antwerp, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, dep. Monumental Art, Mural painting and glassart
90 Hilversum (NL) Workshop glassfusing
94-97 Workshops glassblowing and casting with Koen Vanderstukken
94-97 Mechelen, IKA dep.Glassart with Miloslava Svobodova and Koen Vanderstukken
2000 Workshop'Emerging shapes' Glassblowing with L.S. Smedrud (N) and Ingrid Lauwers (B)
2002 Sandcasting with S. Edgerley (Ca) en K. Vanderstukken (B)
2007-2009 Mechelen, Academy of Arts, Ceramics with Greet Vercammen
2007 Workshop Silkscreen with Vera Boonen
2008 Workshop 'Knitted Technique' with Barbara Idzikowska(Pl) in Sars-Poteries (Fr) Université du Verre
2008 Workshop 'Enamelling and printing Emailleren en Prints on solid and blown glass' withTomoko Doi, Takeshi Ito, Shinsaku Fukutaka, and Kanami Ogata ( Sandbox) (JAP)
2010 Workshop 'Roll up/ Glassblowing' with Scott Chaseling (Au) in Sars-Poteries (Fr) Université du Verre.
2011 Workshop glassblowing ‘From design till glassobject’ with Jasper Dowding ( AU)
2016 Workshop Pate de Verre, with Anne Petters in Berlin-Glas, Berlin (D)
2017 Workshop screen print with Obin Vleugels (B)
2018 Workshop screen print in 'Studio Bauwhof' (B)
2022 Workshop 'Cast Glass Sculpture' with Heike Brachlow in Musverre Sars-Potterie (FR)
2020-2025 Mechelen, Academy of Fine Arts, ceramics/ project studio with Greet Vercammen, Geoffrey De Bee
Study tours
Berlin, Dessau, New-York, London, Paris, Venice, Barcelona, Istanbul, Turky, France, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Crete, India, Ladakh, Nepal, Tenerife, Sicilië, Georgië
Architectual Art-glass-projects
1984 Project for Don-Bosco College in Hechtel (B)
1985 Project for Private Chapel for Boys home in Vremde (B)
1989 Project for St. Willibrordus Chapel in Wuust-Wezel (B)
1995 Project for Chapel of the Residential Care Facility ' Huize St.Angela' in Sint-Kathelijne-Waver (B)
1997 Project for Chapel of the 'Meditation and Spiritual Center' 'Hof Zevenbergen' in Ranst (B)
2002 Project in private home in Mortsel (B)
2007 Project for OCMW-Chapel in Boom (B)
2009 Project for Private Chapel in Sint-Katelijne-Waver (B)
2014 Project for ' Residential Care Facility' ' Mariatroon' in Dendermonde (B)
2014 Project for OLV Church in Bonheiden (B)
2015 Project for private home in Antwerp (B)
2017 Project for St.Joseph Church in Hoboken, Antwerp (B)
2018 Project for St.Martinus Church in Meise (B)
2018 Project for St.Laurentius Church in Antwerp (B)
2019 Project for St. John's college in Meldert (B)
2019 Project for Municipal Primary school in Gierle (B)
2019 Project for the Paderborn University in Paderborn (D)
2021 Project for St. Gummarus Church in Emblem (B)
Work in Collections
Glassmuseum ‘Glazen huis’ Lommel (B)
Glassmuseum ‘Alter Hof Herding’ Coesfeld-Lette (D)
Glassmuseum ‘ Ebeltoft’ (DK)
Muze’um L, Light and landscape in Roeselaere (B)
Glasscollection of Embrechts-Ruyckaert (B)
2017 Glassmuseum 'Alter Hof Herding' Coesfeld-Lette (D)
2017 MUSVERRE le Departement Nord (Fr)
2022 Museum 'Jan, Amstelveen (NL)
2022 Glasmuseum Leerdam (NL)
2023 Art Real KLM Association (BG)
Selection of past expositions and installations
Liège (B), Museum of Architecture
Diepenbeek (B), Museum of Architecture
Hilversum (NL) Art Glass Center
Newport (GB) Quay Art Centre
Paris,Nancy (Fr) Cultures et matières
Chartres (FR) 'Centre Du Vitrail'
Heusden-Zolder (B) ,‘Roman and Contemporary Glass’ Gallery 'The Mijlpaal'
Brussels (B), Gallery Vizo – 'The new harvest.'
Amsterdam (NL) 'Young and Hot',Emerging Glassartists in Europe '
Amsterdam (NL) Cultural Centre Brakke Grond' –Glass at the Brakke Grond
Destelbergen (B), Garten – Art in Gardens
Maastricht (NL) Gallery Artis Joke, Statues Outside
Herkenrode (B), Contemporary Glass in Flanders, by Gallery De Mijlpaal
Destelbergen (B), Garten Triennale for contemporary sculpture
Horn (NL) Glassexhibition
Maastricht (NL) , Galllery Mariska Dirkx, 'On the edge'
Tubbergen (Nl) Glassrealm
Den Haag (NL) Belgian Embassy ‘Art and Culture at home 2009’
Bruges (B), Gallery Artonivo, 'Intimacy' glass and art today
Munster (D), Glasplastik und Garten' international glassexhibition
Roermond (Nl), Gallery Mariska Dirkx, 'Artshakers & Makers'
Zwevergem (B), Classified Power Plant, Transfo, a glassexhibition.
Coesfeld-Lette (D) Glasmuseum, Neuerwerbungen
St.Amandsberg (B), Diafaan 5, The Great Beguinage, Glassexhibition
Leerdam (Nl) Glassexhibition
2016 Expositions and installations
International panorama of contemporary stained glass art in Centre du Vitrail,
Chartres,’ Lumière du Monde’ (FR)
Glass-Works I 'Gallery The Mijlpaal' in Heusden-Zolder (B)
Glass-Works II ‘ MUZE'UM L in Roeselaere (B)
Glass-Works III ‘Gallery The Mijlpaal’ in Knokke (B)
International Glass Art Biennial , Haacht (B)
Gallery The Mijlpaal, ‘ Colours of the sky’,Knokke (B)
Architectural Glass-object for private garden in Schilde (B)
2017 Expositions and installations
International panorama of contemporary stained glass art in Centre du Vitrail,
Chartres, expo 'Lumière du Monde (FR)
International exhibition '10 jaar Glazen Huis' in Lommel (B)
'Tree of life' in Gallery The Mijlpaal in Heusden-Zolder (B)
Expo 'Inter City' in Extra City in Antwerp (B)
'Glaswerk', glass expo in 'Fort 5' in Antwerp (B)
Glass-expo in 'De Markthallen' in Herk-de-Stad (B)
2018 Expositions and installations
Architectural Light-Glass-object for Florist Mr.H.Bouquet in Antwerp (B)
Architectural Light-Glass-object for 'KAS' Artcenter in Antwerp (B)
2019 Expositions and installations
17 august t/m 08 september 2019 International Exhibition 'Glassculpture and Garden' Munster (D)
28 september t/m 21 december Duo-expo Christine Vanoppen and Wouter Boulanger, Contemporary Glass Gallery Schiepers, Hasselt (B)
2022 Expositions and installations
'Glasrijk Tubbergen' internationale glas expositie (NL)
2023 Expositions and installations
'Lampworking' Ernsting Foundation and the Glasmuseum-Lette in Coesfeld (DE)
'Regards au Féminin' Orangerie of Luxemburg Garden, Paris (FR)
'International Biennale of Glass' in National Gallery Kvadrat, Sofia, Bulgaria (BG)
2025 Expositions and installations
10/01 – 13/04: Glaskunst Trieënale Amersfoort Kunstmuseum MUSIOM Amersfoort (NL): link
08/03 --23/03: Stof en Structuur in Glas, Kasteel Cannenburch (NL): link
22/04 – 15/05: Beeldentuinexpositie Ravesteyn Heenvliet (NL): link
23/04 –09/05: Expo CC Mechelen Projectatelier Academie Mechelen: link
Prices
Vri.K.A.- Price De Keyser
Price Frans Hammer
Price of the Foundation Horlait-Dapsens
Price of Young Belgian Glassartist
2000: Selected by ‘Design Flanders’ for ‘The Quality Label’
2014: Price for art-design for “ Woonzorgcentrum Mariatroon” in Dendermonde
2014: Price for art-design, a stained glasswindow for the OLV Church of
Bonheiden
2015: Selected for ‘The New Glass Review 36’ from ‘The Corning Museum of Glass’, Corning, New York
2022: Price for 'Ledenobject 2022' voor VVMG Vereniging voor Modern Glas: ‘Search for light’
Work experience
1990-2023: Teacher Glass department, Academy of Fine Arts Berchem, Antwerp (BE)
Visual artist
Born in Hasselt (Belgium) on the 14th of December 1962
Oude Baan , 154 - 2820 Bonheiden - Belgium
Phone +32 476554146
www.christinevanoppen.be
Education
77-80 Hasselt, Institute St.Lucas, dep. Visual Arts
80-85 Antwerp, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, dep. Monumental Art, Mural painting and glassart
90 Hilversum (NL) Workshop glassfusing
94-97 Workshops glassblowing and casting with Koen Vanderstukken
94-97 Mechelen, IKA dep.Glassart with Miloslava Svobodova and Koen Vanderstukken
2000 Workshop'Emerging shapes' Glassblowing with L.S. Smedrud (N) and Ingrid Lauwers (B)
2002 Sandcasting with S. Edgerley (Ca) en K. Vanderstukken (B)
2007-2009 Mechelen, Academy of Arts, Ceramics with Greet Vercammen
2007 Workshop Silkscreen with Vera Boonen
2008 Workshop 'Knitted Technique' with Barbara Idzikowska(Pl) in Sars-Poteries (Fr) Université du Verre
2008 Workshop 'Enamelling and printing Emailleren en Prints on solid and blown glass' withTomoko Doi, Takeshi Ito, Shinsaku Fukutaka, and Kanami Ogata ( Sandbox) (JAP)
2010 Workshop 'Roll up/ Glassblowing' with Scott Chaseling (Au) in Sars-Poteries (Fr) Université du Verre.
2011 Workshop glassblowing ‘From design till glassobject’ with Jasper Dowding ( AU)
2016 Workshop Pate de Verre, with Anne Petters in Berlin-Glas, Berlin (D)
2017 Workshop screen print with Obin Vleugels (B)
2018 Workshop screen print in 'Studio Bauwhof' (B)
2022 Workshop 'Cast Glass Sculpture' with Heike Brachlow in Musverre Sars-Potterie (FR)
2020-2025 Mechelen, Academy of Fine Arts, ceramics/ project studio with Greet Vercammen, Geoffrey De Bee
Study tours
Berlin, Dessau, New-York, London, Paris, Venice, Barcelona, Istanbul, Turky, France, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Crete, India, Ladakh, Nepal, Tenerife, Sicilië, Georgië
Architectual Art-glass-projects
1984 Project for Don-Bosco College in Hechtel (B)
1985 Project for Private Chapel for Boys home in Vremde (B)
1989 Project for St. Willibrordus Chapel in Wuust-Wezel (B)
1995 Project for Chapel of the Residential Care Facility ' Huize St.Angela' in Sint-Kathelijne-Waver (B)
1997 Project for Chapel of the 'Meditation and Spiritual Center' 'Hof Zevenbergen' in Ranst (B)
2002 Project in private home in Mortsel (B)
2007 Project for OCMW-Chapel in Boom (B)
2009 Project for Private Chapel in Sint-Katelijne-Waver (B)
2014 Project for ' Residential Care Facility' ' Mariatroon' in Dendermonde (B)
2014 Project for OLV Church in Bonheiden (B)
2015 Project for private home in Antwerp (B)
2017 Project for St.Joseph Church in Hoboken, Antwerp (B)
2018 Project for St.Martinus Church in Meise (B)
2018 Project for St.Laurentius Church in Antwerp (B)
2019 Project for St. John's college in Meldert (B)
2019 Project for Municipal Primary school in Gierle (B)
2019 Project for the Paderborn University in Paderborn (D)
2021 Project for St. Gummarus Church in Emblem (B)
Work in Collections
Glassmuseum ‘Glazen huis’ Lommel (B)
Glassmuseum ‘Alter Hof Herding’ Coesfeld-Lette (D)
Glassmuseum ‘ Ebeltoft’ (DK)
Muze’um L, Light and landscape in Roeselaere (B)
Glasscollection of Embrechts-Ruyckaert (B)
2017 Glassmuseum 'Alter Hof Herding' Coesfeld-Lette (D)
2017 MUSVERRE le Departement Nord (Fr)
2022 Museum 'Jan, Amstelveen (NL)
2022 Glasmuseum Leerdam (NL)
2023 Art Real KLM Association (BG)
Selection of past expositions and installations
Liège (B), Museum of Architecture
Diepenbeek (B), Museum of Architecture
Hilversum (NL) Art Glass Center
Newport (GB) Quay Art Centre
Paris,Nancy (Fr) Cultures et matières
Chartres (FR) 'Centre Du Vitrail'
Heusden-Zolder (B) ,‘Roman and Contemporary Glass’ Gallery 'The Mijlpaal'
Brussels (B), Gallery Vizo – 'The new harvest.'
Amsterdam (NL) 'Young and Hot',Emerging Glassartists in Europe '
Amsterdam (NL) Cultural Centre Brakke Grond' –Glass at the Brakke Grond
Destelbergen (B), Garten – Art in Gardens
Maastricht (NL) Gallery Artis Joke, Statues Outside
Herkenrode (B), Contemporary Glass in Flanders, by Gallery De Mijlpaal
Destelbergen (B), Garten Triennale for contemporary sculpture
Horn (NL) Glassexhibition
Maastricht (NL) , Galllery Mariska Dirkx, 'On the edge'
Tubbergen (Nl) Glassrealm
Den Haag (NL) Belgian Embassy ‘Art and Culture at home 2009’
Bruges (B), Gallery Artonivo, 'Intimacy' glass and art today
Munster (D), Glasplastik und Garten' international glassexhibition
Roermond (Nl), Gallery Mariska Dirkx, 'Artshakers & Makers'
Zwevergem (B), Classified Power Plant, Transfo, a glassexhibition.
Coesfeld-Lette (D) Glasmuseum, Neuerwerbungen
St.Amandsberg (B), Diafaan 5, The Great Beguinage, Glassexhibition
Leerdam (Nl) Glassexhibition
2016 Expositions and installations
International panorama of contemporary stained glass art in Centre du Vitrail,
Chartres,’ Lumière du Monde’ (FR)
Glass-Works I 'Gallery The Mijlpaal' in Heusden-Zolder (B)
Glass-Works II ‘ MUZE'UM L in Roeselaere (B)
Glass-Works III ‘Gallery The Mijlpaal’ in Knokke (B)
International Glass Art Biennial , Haacht (B)
Gallery The Mijlpaal, ‘ Colours of the sky’,Knokke (B)
Architectural Glass-object for private garden in Schilde (B)
2017 Expositions and installations
International panorama of contemporary stained glass art in Centre du Vitrail,
Chartres, expo 'Lumière du Monde (FR)
International exhibition '10 jaar Glazen Huis' in Lommel (B)
'Tree of life' in Gallery The Mijlpaal in Heusden-Zolder (B)
Expo 'Inter City' in Extra City in Antwerp (B)
'Glaswerk', glass expo in 'Fort 5' in Antwerp (B)
Glass-expo in 'De Markthallen' in Herk-de-Stad (B)
2018 Expositions and installations
Architectural Light-Glass-object for Florist Mr.H.Bouquet in Antwerp (B)
Architectural Light-Glass-object for 'KAS' Artcenter in Antwerp (B)
2019 Expositions and installations
17 august t/m 08 september 2019 International Exhibition 'Glassculpture and Garden' Munster (D)
28 september t/m 21 december Duo-expo Christine Vanoppen and Wouter Boulanger, Contemporary Glass Gallery Schiepers, Hasselt (B)
2022 Expositions and installations
'Glasrijk Tubbergen' internationale glas expositie (NL)
2023 Expositions and installations
'Lampworking' Ernsting Foundation and the Glasmuseum-Lette in Coesfeld (DE)
'Regards au Féminin' Orangerie of Luxemburg Garden, Paris (FR)
'International Biennale of Glass' in National Gallery Kvadrat, Sofia, Bulgaria (BG)
2025 Expositions and installations
10/01 – 13/04: Glaskunst Trieënale Amersfoort Kunstmuseum MUSIOM Amersfoort (NL): link
08/03 --23/03: Stof en Structuur in Glas, Kasteel Cannenburch (NL): link
22/04 – 15/05: Beeldentuinexpositie Ravesteyn Heenvliet (NL): link
23/04 –09/05: Expo CC Mechelen Projectatelier Academie Mechelen: link
Prices
Vri.K.A.- Price De Keyser
Price Frans Hammer
Price of the Foundation Horlait-Dapsens
Price of Young Belgian Glassartist
2000: Selected by ‘Design Flanders’ for ‘The Quality Label’
2014: Price for art-design for “ Woonzorgcentrum Mariatroon” in Dendermonde
2014: Price for art-design, a stained glasswindow for the OLV Church of
Bonheiden
2015: Selected for ‘The New Glass Review 36’ from ‘The Corning Museum of Glass’, Corning, New York
2022: Price for 'Ledenobject 2022' voor VVMG Vereniging voor Modern Glas: ‘Search for light’
Work experience
1990-2023: Teacher Glass department, Academy of Fine Arts Berchem, Antwerp (BE)
PUBLICATIONS
Publication in magazine ' GLAS '
- Download the full article here (it is a big file, it might take some time)
- Or click on the pictures below to see some photos of the article.
Publication in magazine ' La revue de la céramique e du verre '
- Download the full article here
- Or click on the pictures below to see some photos of the article.
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