Publikationen
Guda Koster is a Dutch artist who creates living sculptures and performances, which the photographs are the results of. Koster’s works are created in parallels of time, space and textile.In her works Koster uses fabrics, colours and patterns that underline the codes and meanings our clothing conveys
How would you describe your works? I make installations, sculptures and photographs in which clothing plays an important part. Clothing doesn't just have a function but also conveys a message. In our everyday lives we communicate identity and social position primarily by means of our clothing. Clothing can be seen as a visual art form that expresses the way we see ourselves and our relationship with the world around us. What themes are you interested in exploring in your works? I have a lot of books on clothing: not just on fashion but also on functional clothing like company uniforms, folk dresses, ritual cloths and of course books on other artist who work with textiles. Daily life, identity and transforming the human body are important themes in my work. A work may begin with the pattern of a fabric found on the market or it may start with an idea. What techniques do you use? I always sew the clothing myself and those will then be part of an installation or sculpture. I may also build a set, dress myself and photograph myself in the set with the self-timer. I use fabrics, colours, patterns and new cuts to underline the codes and meanings clothing conveys. On the website you present a series of photographs. Can you comment on them? In these photographs I am often 'invisibly' playing the leading role, dressed in self-made outfits, often photographed against a patterned background. The work looks professional and serious, but it is humorous as well. In de work Twins the pattern of the fabric is transformed into the windows of a skyscraper and in the work Snowwhite a furry coat is turned into an animal. You can see the photographs as little stories. Your interest in fashion, interior design and architecture are evident in your works. What connects you to these disciplines? You can also mention theatre, but the connection is the use of textiles and the relation people have with their surroundings. The clothed human figure becomes an integral part of a space or environment. I am inspired by daily life, but I exaggerate it or I give it a humorous twist. What are your views and how would you describe tendencies in contemporary Dutch photography? I have seen al lot of Dutch photography, but I don't regard myself as a photographer. I am not interested in photographical 'problems'. I make 'living' sculptures and the photograph is the result of the performance, therefore I am more a sculptor than a photographer. Therefore I am not so involved in Dutch photography and I don't' think there is a special 'Dutch style'. What are you working on at the moment? I am working on something I have never done before. Fellow artist Jan Theun van Rees (www.onewallaway.com) has made the book „Hidden stories". During the last ten year he has been photographing important cultural buildings in Amsterdam (Stedelijk Museum, the Rijksmuseum, the Amsterdam Jewish museum, theatre Carre etc.) during renovation. Not all these photo's are on display in the book. He invited me and some other artists to choose one of those 'leftovers. I have chosen one of a stripped room in the Stedelijk Museum. He prints it for me in the format of 3 x 2 meters and that will be the background for me to develop a new work. I can do with the photograph whatever I want. I have always built my own set and I am curious how my work will function with this illusionistic background that is not my own: it will bring other problems to solve and hopefully new ideas. Interview for internet platform ART CART, 2014
More interviews on the
RE art and Trendland.com
Magazine Iconoclasta (sep 2016)
Magazine Ignant Art (sep 2016)
Textile is more(aug 2016)
Cercle Magazine(aug 2016)
High Fructose, The new contemporary art magazine (aug 2016)
Publications (selection)
2017 Guda Koster, Maria Reyes Fernandez, ROOM nr 15
NOT for print, Ello
2016 Playful photography of Guda Koster, NOVUM magine 09.16
24 works, Guda Koster
Catalogue exhibition Sprung in die Leere
Cercle magazine, edition COSTUMES
Magazine Platform/Platvorm
2015 Catalogue Kaunas Biennial
Magazine Ostraletto, Ostrale O15
Kulturseite, Sachsische Zeitung, Dresden
Hoera, hoera...., Herma Meere, Textiel Plus nr 233
Peinliche, teils beklemmende Posen, Newspaper Ruhrnachrichten
2014 The big Amsterdam Artcalender 2015
Textile Art around the world, Textiellink
'Guda Koster', Fahrenheit Magazine, Mexico City
Catalogue KUBOshow Was ist hiermit?
Catalogue Workwear, Triennale Milaan
Interview http://trendland.com/guda-kosters-surreal-photography/
Interview http://idolmag.co.uk/blog/guda-kosters-living-sculptures
Catalogue Nord Art
Cover contest VPRO magazine (number 1 january 2014)
' Again there is life in the house of Noor Smals', De Gelderlander
2013 Interview http://www.art-cart.eu/en/featured-artist/guda-koster/
2012 Catalogue, ID11 in vestigates, id 11, Delft
Catalogue, In front of behind
2011 Catalogue, The ideal Man
2010 postcards, face to face, police Amsterdam
Catalogue, Rehab Religion, Art Crumbles, Nijmegen
2009 Catalogue, Bellevue das gelbe Haus, Linz Birthdaycalender, council Alphen aan den Rijn
Janny Eskes, AD, het groene hart, Als staatshoofd op de foto
Catalogue, different places - different stories
Catalogue, the forgotten book, ArToll, Bedburg Hau
Catalogue Heapsteaps, VHDG, Leeuwarden
2008 Catalogue Trading place back and forth, Mariakapel(Hoorn) and Nieuwe Vide (haarlem)
2006 Catalogue DORMART, Depot, Dortmund, Germany
2005 Catalogue ‘Groeten uit Delft’, Gemeente Delft (kunst in de wijken)
Catalogue ‘VAN STUK///OFF TRACK, Nieuwe Vide, Haarlem
2004 ‘Klederdracht helpt bij integratie’, Delftse Courant
Catalogue ‘Zehn Jahre Artoll’, Artoll, Bedburg Hau
Leonie Groen, ‘Zaanse ‘Coronation Street’ in beeld’, Noord-Hollands Dagblad
2003 Catalogue procreation/postcreation, Womanifesto, Bangkok, Thailand
PS bijlage Parool (75 jarig jubileum Olympisch Stadion)
Catalogue (hi)story, The National Gallery, Bangkok
Samila Suttisiltum, (hi)story in Hua Hin’, Bangkok Post
Catalogue ‘Wij bouwen nieuwe zinnen’, W139, Amsterdam
2002 Catalogue ‘6 CHANNELS’ Silpakorn Art Academy, Bangkok
Catalogue “Kunst op je gezondheid Sigra, Amsterdam
2001 Catalogue ‘HOME MADE’, Stichting VH de Gemeente, Leeuwarden
Catalogus West East Marriage, Silpakorn Academy, Bangkok
Catalogue ‘Vedute
Catalogue ‘A Public Space’, uitgave Amsterdams Fonds voor de Beeldende Kunst
2000 Catalogue ‘STOFUITDRUKKING’ , K.C.B., Bergen
1999 Ciska Hosper, ‘ Kunst in oplage van Guda Koster’ , TEXTIEL PLUS nr 167
1996 Catalogue ‘ Gebundeld beeld over samenwerking’ , De Verschijning, Tilburg
1995 Catalogue ‘VLINDERSLAG’, Stichting de Zuiderzee, Amsterdam