Overview

'Suddenly you find yourself only staring at the technique and your gaze remains fixed on patches of embroidery or applied beads. Or a small bag, coated with hundreds of beads, can mesmerize you with its refinement. When you then try to comprehend the entire work, the ‘tricks’ with perspective suddenly become apparent. In a subtle manner, Carla Kranendonk has also interwoven her relativistic view of other facets of Caribbean and African societies into her work.'

- Arno Kramer, 2014

 

Carla Kranendonk creates serenely heroic images of black womanhood. Her pictures combine painting with details of collage, appliqué and even embroidery. In each canvas, the richly patterned elements of dress and setting provide a compelling context for the quietly powerful presence of the central figure, or figures. These are works with an almost iconic force. 

 

Born, and based, in Amsterdam, Kranendonk is married to a Surinamese man of Ashanti heritage. Her pictures are often inspired by family members, and informed by her travels in the West Africa and the Caribbean world, as well as by the long and rich heritage of a Dutch-manufactured ‘wax’ textiles created for the African markets. 

 

Kranendonk studied at the Rijksacademie van Beeldende Kunsten Amsterdam from 1984 - 1987. She has exhibited across the globe since the 1990s, and  her work is held in significant private collections in New York, Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Barbados, Curacao, Geneva, Israel and London. Two major works were acquired by Kit Kemp, and are on display in the Haymarket Hotel in London.

Works
  • Carla Kranendonk, Ayo, 2024
    Ayo, 2024
  • Carla Kranendonk, Awa & Kine, 2024
    Awa & Kine, 2024
  • Carla Kranendonk, Giselle, 2024
    Giselle, 2024
  • Carla Kranendonk acrylic paint and collage on linen, beads, glue, cotton, yarn of Maroua 2023
    Maroua, 2023
  • Carla Kranendonk, Fatou and Doudou, 2021
    Fatou and Doudou, 2021
  • Carla Kranendonk, Carla in the studio
    Carla in the studio
  • hand embroidery, beadwork, acrylic and collage on canvas by Carla Kranendonk of woman sitting in an armchair in traditional white outfit on pink pattern background available at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery
    Nana, 2022
  • Carla Kranendonk, Fabrics in Carla's studio
    Fabrics in Carla's studio
  • Carla Kranendonk, Install Shot of 'Imara' in Toronto, Courtesy of Cynthia Ferguson Designs
    Install Shot of 'Imara' in Toronto, Courtesy of Cynthia Ferguson Designs
  • hand embroidery, beadwork, acrylic and collage on canvas by Carla Kranendonk of woman in different color patterns on pink bakground available at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery
    Fatou-Bintou, 2022
  • Carla Kranendonk, Carla Kranendonk in the Whitby Hotel, New York - Courtesy Harper's Bazaar
    Carla Kranendonk in the Whitby Hotel, New York - Courtesy Harper's Bazaar
  • dark blue mixed media work with light flowers by Carla Kranendonk. Represented by Rebecca Hossack Gallery
    Sali, 2023
  • Carla Kranendonk portrait painting of African woman in green headdress
    Afua, 2023
  • Carla Kranendonk, Reclining Woman in Brumus Bar & Restaurant at Haymarket Hotel, Courtesy of Kit Kemp
    Reclining Woman in Brumus Bar & Restaurant at Haymarket Hotel, Courtesy of Kit Kemp
  • Carla Kranendonk, Seated Woman in White Dress in the Sandra Blow Room at The Soho Hotel, Courtesy of Kit Kemp
    Seated Woman in White Dress in the Sandra Blow Room at The Soho Hotel, Courtesy of Kit Kemp
Exhibitions
Press
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