Elise Eekhout

Have you ever realized how remarkable it is that we can read? What we see are simply a series of marks on paper, yet these marks carry meanings that we have learned to understand over time. It’s fascinating that by looking at these marks, we can experience a world of feelings and emotions.

Since childhood, I have been fascinated by letters. To me, they are not just symbols, but beautifully crafted shapes. What I find most intriguing is that we no longer truly notice these forms once we learn to read. We are immediately swept away into the world that the letters open up for us.

This fascination with letters and the way text and image come together in my mind is the foundation of my work. I aim to show how text and image complement each other and form a symbiotic relationship. I do this by creating paintings that weave text and image together, using gold and silver leaf that reflect light in various ways. This makes the painting come alive, creating a dynamic quality that changes depending on the light.

I originally trained as a graphic designer. During my studies at the St. Joost Art Academy in Breda, I started my own design studio. Even then, my fascination with letters and the interplay between text and image played a central r...

2023, masterclasses ‘Kunst van het vragen’, Utrecht University, Prof. dr. Helleke van der Braber, Utrecht, Netherlands
2022, workshops ‘Route Cultureel Ondernemerschap’, Cultuur+Ondernemen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2021, minor ‘Social Psychology’, Open University, Heerlen, Netherlands
2020-2021, masterclasses Art-repreneur, Amsterdam Art Center, Peter Maasdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2019, certificate ‘coach for highly gifted children’, CIVAS, Haarlem, Netherlands
2019, multiple minors Psychology, Open University, Heerlen, Netherlands:
Minor ‘Introduction to psychology’
Minor ‘Psychology of human development’
Minor ‘Introduction to work and organizational psychology’
Minor ‘Research practical introduction to data-analysis’
2016, workshop ‘Design Thinking’, Utrecht, Netherlands
1998-2002, Art School St. Joost, Breda, Netherlands
1997-1998, workshops Willem de Kooning art school, Rotterdam, Netherlands
1994-1998, Grafisch Lyceum Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
1992-1998, Westland College, Havo, Naaldwijk, Netherlands

• 2025, Galerie Wind, Rotterdam, Netherlands
• 2025, ‘Duet’, a coöperation with Wajeeh Qadamani, Haagse Kunstkring, July-August, The Hague, Netherlands
• 2025, Gallery Unit4Art, Gouda, continuous, Netherlands
• 2025, Artoui Concept Gallery, January-April, München, Germany
• 2025, 'New', Haagse KunstKring, January, The Hague, Netherlands
• 2024, ‘Post Art’, International group exhibition by EuroArt, September, L’esquisse Hôtel Culturel, Barbizon, France
• 2024, ‘Arbour Conversations‘, International group exhibition by ‘Artists in Motion’, RAUMdurchKUNST, July, Sindelsdorf, Germany
• 2024, ‘Please leave a light on‘, International group exhibition by ‘Artists in Motion’, Dunoon Burgh Hall, April/May, Dunoon, Scotland, UK
• 2024, International group exhibition, Artoui Concept Gallery, April-December, München, Germany
• 2024, solo-exhibition, Kiki at Franx, October-December, Zoetermeer, Netherlands
• 2024, solo-exhibition, Route079, Stadstheater, January, Zoetermeer, Netherlands
• 2024, International cooperation, Music inspired by art, Music Exhibition by Margin Alexander, Pennsylvania, USA
• 2024, ‘Makersmomenten’, Kunstgarage Franx, November-December, Zoetermeer, Netherlands
• 2024, group exhibition ‘Jaarboek Kunstenaars 2025’, Unit4A...