Frans van Hoek (1995, ZA/NL) (he/him) is a conceptual artist based in The Hague, NL.
Growing up in South Africa’s Karoo desert, where fossils and telecom towers coexist casually, his practice explores the world through playful layering of different timescales and worldviews. Drawing on a background in physics, psychology, and mediation, van Hoek attempts to integrate seemingly opposing forces, bridging large-scale currents in biology, history and politics with the poetics of everyday life.
His works often use humour, participation, and well-known forms to make philosophical questions more accessible, reducing tension and making difficult discussions easier. Inviting viewers along in search for some possible synthesis.
A carnival shooting range installed in a gallery raising money for real wars. A badminton court pitting Democratic Socialism and Eco Capitalism against each other at an art fair. A camera obscura cinema on the waterborder with Russia, watching waves and patrol boats glimmer on the walls with local fishermen.
Through residencies and exhibitions, his works have expanded far beyond the traditional gallery space and into the world — reaching Finnish soldiers, Portuguese farmers, Amsterdam CEO’s. Informed by Relational Aesthetics and Conflict Resolution techniques, van Hoek is driven by the belief that in creating sites of playful connection across disciplines and cultural divides we amplify our empathy, understanding, creativity — and ultimately our ability to shape the world, together.
education
2019 - 2024 BFA Fine Art. Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, NL
2023 Erasmus, InSitu (Site-Specific). Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, BE.
2014-2018 BA Clinical Psychology. Brown University, Providence, USA.
2014 BSc Physics. University of Cape Town, ZA
programs
2024 Kunstpodium T, Master/Apprentice Program, Tilburg, NL
Cacaofabriek, Fresh Cacao Talent Program, Helmond, NL
2023 INCO, Social Entrepreneurship Incubator Program, NL
residencies
2024 Het Resort Midseason, Groningen, NL
ORES Residency, Orö, FI
2023 NART Venice Embassy Residency, Narva, EE
Ponte d’Arte, Ponte da Mucela, PT
group exhibitions
2025
“LOKI”, Museum Westerwolde, Bellingwolde, NL
“Many Times, Many Ways”, Tin, Amsterdam, NL
“Post Pollution”, Vriend van Bavink Gallery, Amsterdam, NL
“Post Ludens”, TROEF, Leiden, NL
“BIG ART”, Het Slotervaart, Amsterdam, NL
“Remnants II”, T Space, Antwerp, BE
“A Summer Away”, Het Resort, Groningen, NL
“POWERPOLYP”, Kunstpodium T, Tilburg, NL
“Stigter van Doesburg & Martin van Zomeren”, ArtIsland, IJmuiden, NL.
“Please RSVP”, the_servers, The Hague, NL
“Carts Before Horses”, Stigter van Doesburg, Amsterdam, NL
“Fresh Cacao”, Cacaofabriek, Helmond, NL
2024
“Between the Lanes”, Het Resort, Groningen, NL
“De Wasstraat”, NAP+ Art Fair, Amsterdam, NL
“In The Meantime,”, Kiekencentrale, Antwerp, BE
“Graduation Show 2024”, Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, NL
“Meander”, Billytown, The Hague, NL
“Frans van Hoek & Sigrid Spierenburg”, Maldoror Gallery, The Hague, NL
2023
“Yes Chance”, KASK, Antwerp, BE
“Nothing happens until you make it happen”, NART, Narva, EE
“I Still Care”, Eurocenter Zuidas, Amsterdam, NL
“Everything That Grows Underground”, WEST, The Hague, NL
“Grenzenloos”, Galerie Windows 47, Haarlem, NL
“Hortus Conclusus”, KASK Wintergarden, Antwerp, BE
2022
“But s/he endorsed the sheen”, Vrij Paleis, Amsterdam, NL
“(Post)human Imaginaries”, National Archive, The Hague, NL
“An Idle Escape”, NEST, The Hague, NL
“Mmmmmmmarshmallow Cube”, Exhibition Research Lab, The Hague, NL