Cécile Van Hanja

Cécile van Hanja, born in Corsica in 1964 and a graduate of the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam in 1993, is an artist based in Haarlem, Netherlands. Her artistic journey has been deeply influenced by her formative years spent in the South of France, later finding inspiration in the structured landscapes of the Netherlands.

Van Hanja’s works epitomize the principles of ‘De Stijl’ and Modernism, notably influenced by Piet Mondrian’s straight lines and the movement’s pursuit of harmony and unity. Her fascination with the ideals of hope and prosperity stemming from these 20th-century movements is evident in her paintings, which often depict modern architectural compositions characterized by rhythmic patterns of verticals and horizontals.

Emphasizing intangible aspects by creating open spaces, her paintings feature transparent walls and floors, leading to an interplay of reflections and vanishing points. The deliberate use of thin layers of acrylic and oil paint adds depth and luminosity to her works, allowing underlying colors to shine through and preventing the architectural compositions from becoming static.

Cécile van Hanja’s art is renowned for its multi-colored labyrinth of spaces, creating an illusion of depth and comple...

Cécile van Hanja, born in Corsica in 1964, embarked on her artistic journey at the renowned Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Graduating with distinction in 1993, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Visual Arts, complemented by a Master’s degree in Visual Arts in 1989. Alongside her art education, she delved into the realms of French Literature from 1989 to 1991.

Currently based in Haarlem, Netherlands, Cécile van Hanja draws inspiration from her upbringing in both the South of France and the Netherlands. Her paintings, deeply influenced by modern architecture, reflect a fusion of her diverse cultural experiences.

Cécile’s works have garnered widespread acclaim, gracing exhibitions and private collections across France, Germany, the United States, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Japan, and her native Netherlands. With each stroke, she invites viewers into a world where the harmonious interplay of form and emotion captivates the senses and transcends boundaries.

Selection of exhibitions:

2023-2024 Fremin Gallery, NYC
2022 Crossing Point, Fremin Gallery NYC
2021 Selected artworks curated by Saatchi Art for the guestrooms from Tommie Hotel in Los Angeles
2021 Publication at Luxury Splash of Art Magazine Issue 5
2020 Glass House, image for the cover of a book ‘Broken Glass ‘ by Alex Beam, published by Penguin Random House
2020 Glass Room, painting for the Permanent set of a television show called “The Resident”
2019 Port Tonic Art Center, Les Issambres, France
2019 Die Wahlverwandtschaften ,De Vishal, Haarlem (NL)
2019 Legacy of the Bauhaus, Lisa Norris Gallery, London
2019 The Glass House, Nassau 42 Fine Arts, Belgium
2018 The Art of interiors, Lisa Norris Gallery, London
2017 SBK Amsterdam Zuid, Galerie 18 (NL)
2017 The affordable Art Fair London, Lisa Norris Gallery
2017 Summer Exhibition, Lisa Norris Gallery, London
2017 Rob de Vries Gallery, Haarlem (NL)
2017 The Other Art Fair, London (UK)
2017 Lisa Norris Gallery , London (UK)
2016 Lisa Norris Gallery ,London (UK)
2016 'LUW' 37PK Haarlem (NL)
2016 EXPO72 Alkmaar (NL)
2015 'Beyond chaos' Galerie BMB Amsterdam (NL)
2015 Mondriaanhuis Amersfoort (NL)
2014 M2 kunst ,37PK, Haarlem,(NL)
2014 In Glorious Colour, Showdown Saatchi Art, Gri...