benjamin schoones places self-produced, sometimes modified or ready-made objects in constellations that nest within their given architecture. Chosen off-the-shelf parts are often linked to distribution and manufacturing processes that may have eventually been rendered obsolete. These works are sometimes supported by sounds & written gestures. Instead of following a fixated argument, it tends more toward exploring the incomprehensible feelings of disorientation in ever-changing tensions and (infra)structures. Rhythm, repetition & juxtaposition that leaves room for doubt, inertia, and physical engagement. Zooming in and out, circling from outside interactions of cold distances to inner somatic processing in interaction with all these surrounding synthetics. In this sense, the objects made are not simply as it is, but become an alienated mediator.
Characterized by technological acceleration, constant innovation, and a deep-rooted performance culture, objects are consumed and constantly redefined within networks of value, visibility, and functionality. Therefore, his work attempts to open up a space where the detachment of objects can be an entry point to bodily and affective resonance. Pursuing a certain cold aesthetic creates a distance that activates a delayed perception. With a focus on evoking a visceral, bodily response: an affective layer that cannot be approached purely cognitively, but manifests itself in the uncertain, the ambiguous, and even the unpleasant.
He holds an MFA from the Piet Zwart Institute in Rotterdam (2025) and a BFA from St. Joost, School of Art & Design. (2022)
Relevant education
2023 – 2025: Master of Fine Arts, Piet Zwart Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (hons)
2018 – 2022: Bachelor of Arts, St.Joost Breda, The Netherlands (hons)
2020 – 2021: Minor Arts & Humanity St.Joost Breda, The Netherlands
Group exhibitions
2025; Garage, Rotterdam NL, Language(s)
2025; P60, Assen NL, Vita Terrena
2025; TENT, Rotterdam NL, Piet Zwart Institute Graduation Show
2025; Clublokaal, Breda NL, Komma samen
2025; Piet Zwart Institute, Rotterdam NL, Appreciation exhibition & Open Studio, Rotterdam Art Week
2024; A Tale of a Tub, Rotterdam, NL, Heating Systems
2024: Lely, Amsterdam NL, Leaving Space - Caretakers' Burden
2024: Tramkade ‘s-Hertogenbosch NL, Wachten op Godot
2024: Club Solo, Breda NL, Heavy Foldable Table
2024: Piet Zwart Institute, Rotterdam NL, In Every Cacophony There is Harmony. Open studio’s
2023: Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, Schiedam NL, Assistant Guerrilla take-over Anne Wenzel’s Carte Blanche.
2023: Neck of the Woods, Rotterdam, NL, May I Ask for Your Assistance
2023: KLEMM’S Gallery, Berlin DE, Part of an Ensemble XLI carriers
2023: Mieke van Schaijk, ’s-Hertogenbosch NL, Bossche Bol Bol Editie #0
2023: Gallery Biesenbach, online ART MATTERS #7 finals
2023: Kunstpodium-T, Tilburg NL. Apprentice Master #4 Myspace
2023: Extrapool, Nijmegen NL, Destillaat #24
2022: Neck of the Woods, Rotterdam, NL, Dimensions of Settlement
2022: IDFX, Breda, NL, Recipes for disaster
2022: Lutherse Kerk, Breda NL, Cultuurnacht
2022: De Fabriek, Eindhoven NL, Wegens Omstandigheden is er Momenteel Geen Titel.
2022: Neck of the Woods, Rotterdam, NL, You me, You.
2022: Galerie Pouloeuff, Naarden NL, Place to Be!
Duo exhibitions
2024: Neue Galerie, Landshut, DE, Elastic Saliva together with Mike Anna
2024: IDFX, Breda, NL, Yellow Cube; Soundcheck in collaboration with Fenna Koot
2021: IDFX, Breda NL, combinatietonen in collaboration with Mike Anna
Solo exhibitions
2025; Kunstplatform L I N K, Zwolle NL, - This hum is a tonal sigh v2
2024: HKK, s’-Hertogenbosch NL, In short; my arms are sore. annex; yet, I'm laying folded.
Performances
2024: Homebodies De Nieuwe Vorst Tilburg, NL in collaboration with Inneke Taal
2024: eqo, Roodkapje, Rotterdam, NL, Room to Bloom in collaboration with Natalija Gucheva
2023: Medusa Offspace, Brussels, BE, Cosmovisions in collaboration with Natalija Gucheva
2022: De Pont Museum, Tilburg, NL, It is part XXXII of an ensemble…
2022: Museum Dhondt Dhaenens Sint-Martens-Latem BE, It is part XXX of an ensemble…
2021: Dürst Britt & Mayhew, The Hague NL, Envision this is part XXXVII of an ensemble…
2021: BUT Film Festival, Breda, NL, in collaboration with Mike Anna & Savannah Bredow
2020; Art Rendez-Vous, Breda NL
Publications
Part 47, carriers
Teaching experience
2022: 6-week workshop at ArtEZ Arnhem.
Latent Commons, Collective Making module.
relevant projects & involvement
2024 - current; Clublokaal
2022 – 2023 Ceramic assistant for Anne Wenzel. Projects; Carte Blanche Stedelijk Museum Schiedam & Razzia Monument Rotterdam
2021 – 2024 It's a Part of (FKA networked Collective)
2021 – 2023: Club Solo, Breda NL Slub Colo, Monthly Exhibitions, interventions, workshops and performances.
2021 – 2023: Club Solo, Breda NL, Producer teaser videos for solo Exhibtions.
Internships
2021 – Witte Rook, Breda
2018 – Make, Eindhoven
Grants & assignments
2021 International Vocalis Concours 's-Hertogenbosch
Press
2024 Fakewhale in dialogue with Benjamin Schoones
2024: Salivalive exhibition In short; my arms are sore. Annex; yet, I'm laying folded.
2024 Rundgang.io exhibition In short; my arms are sore. Annex; yet, I'm laying folded.
2023: Rundgang.io exhibition Don't tip over.
2023: sea foundation: Benjamin Schoones | studio encounter
2022: Metropolis M ; St.Joost Breda, Graduation Show
2021: IVC gaat samenwerking aan met AVK | St. Joost in ’s-Hertogenbosch
2021: IVC bundelt de krachten met AVK | St. Joost in Den Bosch
2021: Benjamin Schoones krijgt eerste opdracht tot vervaardigen kunstwerk LiedDuo