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,
                        Academy Minerva Groningen, Cum Laude

2020              Internship at comic artist and illustrator Nino Bulling, Berlin

Exhibitions:

Upcoming:
29-10: Group exhibition, MicksArt Gallery Emmen

Currently:  
07-07/29-09:  “Tijdcollages”, Witte Olifanten IX, duo-exhibition together                                                      with Marijke Klamer, Streekhistorisch Centrum Stadskanaal

Past:
2023         “Ten slotte”, DAD Groningen
                   “Flessenwerk” (solo), Galerie Noord Groningen
                     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

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:    

Aug 2022-now : Art workshop teacher, De Vrolijkheid, AZC Ter Apel
Oct-dec 2022:   Art workshop teacher, De Vrolijkheid, AZC Burgum

Projectweeks Academy Minerva Groningen:
Nov 2022: ”Prints of collections, researching objects and lithography in                                                 the public domain.”
Feb 2022: “Prints of collections, collections of prints.”
                     Exploring objects and still-lives through polyesterplate-lithography.

Interviews and articles:

Dagblad van het Noorden, “Veenkoloniën bekeken door jonge ogen.”
Dagblad van het Noorden, “Flessen met karakter”

Selected clients:

Hanze Hogeschool Groningen, Essay Skate Magazine, Stichting Eurosonic Noorderslag, Stichting Poëziepaleis, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.