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
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
VRIJDAG Groningen
2024 - now Graphics, ceramics and illustration teacher
Mar 2024 Workshop Bottle Portraits
Stichting De Vrolijkheid, Art Projects in Dutch Refugee Centres
2022 - 2023 Art workshop teacher, AZC Ter Apel
2022 Art workshop teacher, AZC Burgum
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
VRIJDAG Groningen
2024 - now Graphics, ceramics and illustration teacher
Mar 2024 Workshop Bottle Portraits
Stichting De Vrolijkheid, Art Projects in Dutch Refugee Centres
2022 - 2023 Art workshop teacher, AZC Ter Apel
2022 Art workshop teacher, AZC Burgum
Interviews and articles
Dagblad van het Noorden, Veenkoloniën bekeken door jonge ogen
Dagblad van het Noorden, Flessen met karakter
Contact
merelwendt@gmail.com
+31 614986010
Paradijsvogelstraat 11F, Groningen
Solo exhibitions
2023 Flessenwerk, Galerie Noord Groningen
2022 PFAND, Kunstpunt Groningen
2022 PFAND, Kunstpunt Groningen
Group exhibitions
2024 Galerie Kunstsmederij, Grasnapolsky, Scheemda
2023 Feest der Herkenning, Galerie Noord Groningen
Heterdaad, MicksArt Gallery Emmen
Zonder Titel 2, CAMPIS Assen
Tijdcollages, Witte Olifanten IX, Streekhistorisch Centrum Stadskanaal (duo with Marijke Klamer)
Ten slotte, DAD Groningen
Window exhibition, Sec Marché Hattem
WEP SALON, WEP Groningen
2022 Drawing Zines, Drawing Centre Diepenheim
Fumetto Comic Festival, Luzern Switzerland
Night By The Young, Rozentheater Amsterdam
DAD Design Stories, Groningen
VPRO Dorst 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
2024 Galerie Kunstsmederij, Grasnapolsky, Scheemda
2023 Feest der Herkenning, Galerie Noord Groningen
Heterdaad, MicksArt Gallery Emmen
Zonder Titel 2, CAMPIS Assen
Tijdcollages, Witte Olifanten IX, Streekhistorisch Centrum Stadskanaal (duo with Marijke Klamer)
Ten slotte, DAD Groningen
Window exhibition, Sec Marché Hattem
WEP SALON, WEP Groningen
2022 Drawing Zines, Drawing Centre Diepenheim
Fumetto Comic Festival, Luzern Switzerland
Night By The Young, Rozentheater Amsterdam
DAD Design Stories, Groningen
VPRO Dorst takeover
2021 IJswee, CBK Emmen
Dutch Design Week, Klokgebouw Eindhoven