Merel Wendt (1999) is an illustrator, graphic artist and bottle enthusiast.
Bottles are an inexhaustible source of inspiration to her, they function as characters in her work. As a maker, she tries to visualise her fascination with their form by manipulating their properties, such as shape, color and size. She stretches, inflates and exaggerates them. In doing so, she aims to reacquaint the viewer to the bottle as both form and object.
Her illustrated bottle collection began as her graduation project called PFAND in which she used her role as illustrator and bottle enthusiast to visualise the invisible collection of Berlin's deposit collectors.
This culminated in a major form study of the bottle, which is still ongoing. She takes an analogue approach in her work, using techniques such as lithography, screen printing, ceramics and pencil.
Education
2017-2021 BA Illustration and Animation Design
Academie Minerva Groningen, Cum Laude
2020 Internship with comic artist Nino Bulling, Berlin
Exhibitions
Upcoming
03-12-2023 Zonder Titel 2, CAMPIS Assen
23-12-2023 Feest der Herkenning, Galerie Noord
Currently
Heterdaad, MicksArt Gallery Emmen
Past
2023 Tijdcollages, Witte Olifanten IX, duo-exhibition together with Marijke Klamer, Streekhistorisch Centrum Stadskanaal
Ten slotte, DAD Groningen
Flessenwerk, Galerie Noord Groningen (solo)
Window exhibition, Sec Marché Hattem
WEP SALON, WEP Groningen
2022 Drawing Zines, Drawing Centre Diepenheim
PFAND, Kunstpunt Groningen (solo)
Group exhibtion, Bistro Basta Groningen
Fumetto Comic Festival, Luzern Switzerland
Night By The Young, Rozentheater Amsterdam
DAD Design Stories, Groningen
VPRO Dorst Instagram takeover
2021 IJswee, CBK Emmen
Dutch Design Week, Klokgebouw Eindhoven
Manifestatie Jong V, Galerie DSG Assen
Detour, Graduation show Academy Minerva Groningen
2020 Channeled, The Waterhouse Gallery, Groningen
Like a Virgin, Galerie H200 Groningen
2019 Panta Rhei, Grafiek2019 & Forma Aktua Groningen
Illustratie57, Groningen (curation and organising seminars)
Grafiek in de Kerk, Woltersum
2018 Cross Comix, Rotterdam (student price nomination)
Allie van Altena Farewell Exhibition, Groningen
Teaching experience
Academie Minerva Groningen
Nov 2023 Projectweek Fine Art year 1-4
Big-sized polyesterplate lithography
Sept 2023 Introductionweek Illustration Design year 2
Zine workshop
Nov 2022 Projectweek Fine Art year 2-3
Prints of collections, researching objects and lithography
in the public domain
Feb 2022 Projectweek Fine Art year 1
Prints of collections, collections of prints
Exploring objects and still-lives through polyesterplate- lithography
Stichting De Vrolijkheid, Art Projects in Dutch Refugee Centres
Aug 2022-now Art workshop teacher, AZC Ter Apel
Oct-dec 2022 Art workshop teacher, AZC Burgum
