Open menu

About

Raquel van Haver | 1989 | Bogota, Colombia 
Raquel van Haver is a multidisciplinary artist based between Amsterdam and Colombia, whose practice spans painting, sculpture, and installation. Known for her use of unconventional materials—such as oil, tar, ash, chalk, and found objects—her works are rich, tactile narratives that explore memory, community, and identity.
In addition to painting, Van Haver incorporates a variety of materials and media, including wood veneer, glass, collage, sound, video installations, and digital work. Her process begins with listening: to stories, to silence, to what has been remembered and passed down through generations. Through this approach, she builds visual archives of lived experiences that might otherwise be forgotten over time.
Her work focuses on transitions, challenges, and the celebration of resilience. She is particularly drawn to visual storytelling through painting, addressing themes such as migration, spirituality, folklore, and collective memory—bridging deeply personal stories with broader cultural and political narratives.
Alongside her studio practice and research, Raquel frequently collaborates with artists and collectives on a global scale.
“The real libraries of the world are kept by the storytellers of communities.
Only the stories that are remembered survive.”
— Raquel van Haver
Functions & positions
Mentoring for the Mondriaan Foundation | NL
Board member of Holland Festival | NL
CAWA commission member | NL
Founder of 21e Eeuwse Groepsportretten Foundation | NL
Jury member, Dutch national TV program De Nieuwe Rembrandt | NL
Founder of 3 of the collective | Aliwaa | CO
Founder of Studio Raquel van Haver | NL
Founder of Glasslab Titambe | GH
Education
2008 – 2012
Hogeschool voor de Kunsten | Utrecht | NL
2006 – 2008
Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam | NL
Represented by
David Krut Gallery | Johannesburg | New york |  SA | USA
Kersgallery | Amsterdam, Netherlands
ARTCO Gallery | Berlin | GE
2015 – 2019
Jack Bell Gallery | London | United Kingdom
Art collectives
2023
Aliwaa Collective
Solo shows
2025
The Collateral Kin | Amsterdam Museum × Amsterdam 750 Jaar × H’ART Museum | Amsterdam | NL
Toevluchtsoord | The Grid | Union Espacio para Artistas | curated by Charles Moore | Mexico City | MX
2024
Rundhalle | Galerie Wedding | Berlin | GE
2023 – 2028
GlassLab Titamba |  in collaboration with Red Clay Studio | Tamale | GH
2023
Airising Phoenix | David Krut Gallery | New York City, USA
Textile Museum | Tilburg, NL
Gasunie | Groningen, NL
2021
Kersgallery | Amsterdam, NL
ARTCO Gallery | Berlin | GE
2020
Amo a la Reina | Bonnefanten Museum | Maastricht | NL
Amo a la Reina (Prints) | Museo Bolivariano | Santa Marta | CO
2019
11-01 Delirium | Jack Bell Gallery | London | UK
2018
Spirits of the Soil  | Stedelijk Museum | Amsterdam | NL
2017
De Scheffer  | Dordrechts Museum | Dordrecht |  NL
Shrine of a Deity | African Artists Foundation | Lagos | NI
Definition of a System | Jack Bell Gallery | London | UK
2016
Folktales and Taboos | in collaboration with Admire Kamudzengerere | Harare | ZIM
Hookers in Toilets // Dancehall Version Explicit | Amsterdam | NL
Doggiestyle | Jack Bell Gallery | London | UK
2015
DRAWMENEARER \ draw me nearer collective | Amsterdam | NL
Metro 54 | Jack Bell Gallery | London, UK
Ruwe Bolsters | Galerie 23 / SBK | Amsterdam | NL
Group shows
2025                                                              
All directions | Art that moves you | the permanent collection | Ivan Barbosa | Fenix | Rotterdam |NL                           
The collectie verzet | Aliwaa collective | Missie museum | Steyl | NL
2024                                                          
DWYS Lagos activation event | Alliance Francais | Lagos | NI
2023                                                          
Unfair | Amsterdam | NL
POLY. a fluid show | KINDL| BERLIN | GE
Every threat tellls a story | Textile museum | Tilburg | NL     
Globalsto | 31 project gallery | Paris | FR                                                             
Brave new world | de Fundatie | Zwolle| NL
2022    
Dig where you stand | AAF | SCCA Tamale | Tamale | GH   
Loop festival | Overart | Barcelona | SP
De verbeelding | Dutch Photo museum | Rotterdam | NL
2021                                                    
ARTCO | AKAA| Paris | FR                  
Voices of fashion | Centraal museum | Utrecht | NL                               
Marc Chagall and contemporary artists | KRONA | Uden | NL             
The roaring twenties | Museum Kranenburgh | Bergen |NL   
KHP | Royal Palace | Amsterdam | NL     
Unfair | Amsterdam | NL           
Group show Raquel van Haver, Felix de Rooij, Rabi Koria, Iris Kensmil | Kers-gallery | NL
2020                                       
NOW LOOK HERE | Amsterdam | NL Unfair | Amsterdam | NL     
Breda photo festival | Breda | NL
Prelude to the Biennia| Exhibition | Casa seat | Barcelona |SP 
Arti Amicitea | Menselijke portretten | Amsterdam | NL 
Amsterdam museum | Amsterdam | NL
2019                             
Oscam | Amsterdam | NL       
Most Wanted | Museum volkenkunde | Leiden | NL
2018                                                                                               
Royal Award for Modern Painting | Royal palace | Amsterdam | NL               
Wolvecampprijs | ROC van Twente | Hengelo | NL             
Young Utrecht Delight | Galerie SANAA | Utrecht | NL 
De Meest Eigentijdse Schilderijen Tentoonstelling | Dordrechts Museum | Dordrecht | NL.                       
Folktales & Taboos | Galerie 23/SBK, CBK Zuidoost and Thami Mnyele | Amsterdam | NL
 
Fairs
2024
UNSEEN | Amsterdam, NL
Art Rotterdam | Kersgallery | Rotterdam, NL
2023
Unfair | Amsterdam, NL
Art Rotterdam | Kersgallery | Rotterdam, NL
2022
Art Rotterdam | Kersgallery | Rotterdam, NL
Loop Festival | Overart | Barcelona, SP
Cape Town Art Fair | ARTCO Gallery | South Africa
Art Rotterdam | Kersgallery | Rotterdam, NL
2021
Art Zuid | Netherlands
Positions | ARTCO Gallery | Berlin, GE
Paper Positions | ARTCO Gallery | Berlin, GE
AKAA | ARTCO Gallery | Paris, FR
ARCO Madrid | Movart | Spain
Basel Miami | Voice HQ | NFT | Miami, USA
2020
Unfair | Amsterdam, NL
Art Rotterdam | Kersgallery | Rotterdam, NL
Prelude to the Biennia | Exhibition | Casa Seat | Barcelona, SP
Breda Photo | Breda, NL
Paper Positions | ARTCO Gallery | Berlin, GE
Immersive Miami Beach Part 2 | Kersgallery | Scope | Miami, USA
Unfair | Amsterdam, NL
2019
Scope Miami Beach | Kersgallery | Miami, USA
2018
Art Rotterdam – Prospects and Concepts | Mondriaan Fonds | Rotterdam, NL
2016
Art Rotterdam | Netherlands
That Art Fair | Cape Town, South Africa
2015
Amsterdam Drawing | Amsterdam, NL
 
Projects & Residencies
2027
GlassLab Titamba X Redclay | Stichting Stokroos | Redclay | Tamale, GH
2026
GlassLab Titamba X Redclay | Stichting Stokroos | Redclay | Tamale, GH
2025
Commissioned work by Mama Florijn and the City of Amsterdam | Installation (80m x 10m) | Amsterdam, NL
GlassLab Titamba X Redclay | Stichting Stokroos | Redclay | Tamale, GH
Weaving | Aliwaa Collective | Riohacha, CO
2024
Weaving | Aliwaa Collective | Riohacha, CO
2023
David Krut Gallery | Johannesburg, SA
GlassLab Titamba X Redclay | Stichting Stokroos | Redclay | Tamale, GH (twice)
Research Cabo Verde | Fenix | NL
Beeldbepalers | De Balie | Amsterdam, NL
2022
African Art in Venice Forum | Hotel Monaco | Venice Biennale, IT
Dig Where You Stand | Ibrahim Mahama, Renzo Martens, Azu Nwagbogu | AAF Lagos, White Cube Lusanga, SSCA Tamale, ACA Amsterdam Zuid-Oost
Februaristaking | NL
Textiellab | Textiel Museum | Tilburg, NL
Weaving | Aliwaa Collective | Riohacha, CO
2021
Residency | T H’UYS, Hotel de l’Europe | Amsterdam, NL
Stadsarchief | City Painter of Amsterdam | NL
2019
Amo a la Reina | Ayara x Raquel van Haver | Bogotá, CO
AIR IBB | Workshops | CU
Flora | Bogotá, CO
2018
Residency | Kibii Foundation | Moengo | SU
Book Launch Spirits of the Soil | National Opera and Ballet Décor Workshop | Amsterdam, NL
Residency | CBK Zuid Oost | Thami Mnyele Foundation x National Gallery of Zimbabwe | Amsterdam, NL / Zimbabwe
2017
Magazine Shrine of a Deity | AAF | Lagos, NI
Residency | African Artists’ Foundation | Lagos, NI
Residency | National Gallery | Folktales and Taboos Project | Harare, ZIM
African Art in Venice Forum | Hotel Monaco | Venice Biennale, IT
Participant, Culture Summit 2017 | Abu Dhabi, UAE
Quest (duo show with Igshaan Adams, SA) | Tilburg, NL
2016
Residency | African Artists Foundation | Lagos, NI
Residency | Folktales and Taboos x National Gallery of Zimbabwe and Dzimbanhete Arts Interactions | Harare
Torenkamer NPO1 | Amsterdam, NL
More Than a Muze – International Women’s Day | MamaCash | Stedelijk Museum | Amsterdam, NL
Residency | David Krut Projects | Johannesburg, SA
2015
DRAWMENEARER | Museumnacht | Amsterdam, NL
Design | Gsus Store | Westerstraat / Magna Plaza | Amsterdam, NL
Publications
2021 | Raquel van Haver | Art catalogue about Amo a la Reina & more
2021 | New renaissance | Mendo & Avant Arte |
2020 | Movie uur van de wolf | Raquel van Haver
2020 | Amo a la reina | vinger.nl
2018 | Spirits of the soil | vinger.nl
2017 | A shrine of a deity | Raquel van Haver | African artist foundation
 
Nominations
Awards and Nominations
2019
Amsterdamprijs voor de Kunst – Stimulation Prize
2018
Royal Award for Modern Painting
FD Talenten 2018
Nomination Wolvecamp Prize
2017
De Schefferprijs 2017
2016
30 Under 30 Forbes List – Most Influential Young Artist under 30
Nomination Royal Award for Painting (Koninklijke Prijs voor Vrije Schilderkunst)
2015
Longlist Nomination Prix de Rome
2013
Nomination Kunstliefde Award
Nomination Royal Award for Painting (Koninklijke Prijs voor Vrije Schilderkunst)
2012
Nomination Royal Award for Painting (Koninklijke Prijs voor Vrije Schilderkunst)
Nomination Buning Brongers Award
Nomination Jan Zumbrink Award

Studio Raquel van Haver

Studio Raquel van Haver is based in Amsterdam and serves as a collaborative and interdisciplinary working space. It is a site of research, production, and long-term engagement with artist communities both locally and internationally. From this studio, Raquel leads a small team committed to socially rooted and materially experimental art-making.
We believe in building relationships before projects, in working slowly and respectfully, and in developing art that exists not only in galleries but also within the lives and places of the people who help create it.
Team members
Our studio is made up of a close-knit, international team.
Together, we foster a shared, collaborative practice that grows over time—guided by mutual respect, care, and curiosity.
  • Founder and artistic director | Raquel van Haver
  • Personal assistant | Jazmon Voss
  • Digital design and co- creator | Tim van Vliet
  • Buidling team and co- creator| Alex Fisher | Victor Mari de Herder | Frank Hietbrink

special projects innovations and extensions to the studio

Special projects
Studio Raquel van Haver develops long-term, site-specific projects in collaboration with communities, craftspeople, institutions, and artist foundations. These projects often span several years and blend artistic creation with education, social programming, and storytelling.
 
Glasslab Titambe X Redclay studio | Tamale | Ghana
In partnership with Red Clay Studio, led by Ibrahim Mahama GlassLab Titambe is a seven-year initiative (2021–2028) focused on the creation of a glass workshop, artist residency and the social work focussing on the Witch camps in the upper northern part in Ghana.
This space connects artistic production with social transformation by engaging with the so-called “witch camps” in the Northern and Volta regions – communities where women and men accused of witchcraft are sent into exile. The inhabitants of the camps are invited to take part to the educational program that is set up together with Redclay studio and KNUST university , the art university of Kumasi, Ghana. Social integration back into society where people can freely move and create their own stable income is one of the main points this project strives. One of the other focus points is through out this project and her collaboration is to speak out loud about these subjects and give the once forgotten a voice so not only is the project beneficial for the once who participate but it also has a educational focus point for a broader public.
The project centers on large-scale glass sculptures, created in collaboration with local artisans using Ghana’s abundant desert sand and focusing on the traditional way of making clay and glass ovens this project connects multiple disciplines to reach our goal.
It also includes a training and residency program supported by Sichting Stokroos, Studio Raquel van Haver and linked to KNUST University in Kumasi, offering artistic and technical education to both international artists and people from the camps.
Other supportive organizations to this project are
Free the Youth, Ghana and the Dutch Ambassy. As the workshop grows, it will host annual exhibitions of work produced on-site, culminating in a major showcase between 2026 and 2028.
 

 

Aliwaa collective

Aliwaa collective | Colombia | The Netherlands
Since the past 5 years van Haver collaborates together with a curator at large from Santa Marta and a master weaver from La  Guajira in Colombia. They formed the group called Aliwaa.
Collective statement
Aliwaa is a word in Wayuunaiki that means “to love and care for one another collectively.” This name is not merely a linguistic gesture or an identity symbol, it is a declaration of principles. Aliwaa is the space we have chosen to inhabit and build together as three women from different geographies, connecting the Wayuu territory, the Colombian Caribbean, and the Netherlands.
Aliwaa emerges from the convergence of worlds that may seem distant, yet are deeply intertwined through colonial memory, displacement, resistance, and a shared relationship with territory. What unites us is the desire to preserve and project ancestral knowledge, to give visibility to stories that have been denied or marginalized, and to weave through art, a new language of care, justice, and remembrance.
Our work is multidisciplinary, transversal, and interwoven, rooted in ancestral knowledge as the foundation for a dialogue that places the Wayuu universe at the center. Art, in this context, is represented by a woman whose practice navigates between Europe and Latin America. Her contribution brings a materially grounded, narrative, and critical visual language. Her work is rooted in the communal and the spiritual, proposing a dialogue between collage, textile, research, and installation. Her vision crosses the borders imposed on contemporary art and identity, making artistic languages into tools of resistance. Within Aliwaa, her role expands a long-standing investigation into postcolonial memory, migration, spirituality, and manual practices as forms of archive and symbolic power.
At the heart of the collective is a Wayuu cultural guardian and entrepreneur—the living voice of the territory. Her knowledge emerges from direct experience with weaving, language, oral tradition, and community. She embodies the spiritual core of the collective, anchoring the artistic process in the ethical duty to preserve Wayuu culture. Sindri leads the collective’s material production processes, particularly those related to weaving and plays a key role in ensuring that the dialogue between ancestral and contemporary languages is built on respect, listening, and consent. Research and conceptual articulation form the third essential component of Aliwaa.
Another of the women who shapes this collective contributes a curatorial practice rooted in the Caribbean, focused on building bridges between communities, artists, pedagogical processes, and shared memories. Within Aliwaa, she is responsible for articulating the narratives, translating—not only linguistically but also culturally and symbolically, the intentions of the group, and designing curatorial strategies that position our work in both local and international contexts, without stripping it of depth or specificity.
Above all, Aliwaa is a proposition of mutual listening and collective creation. We do not claim to represent a community, we act from within it, with it, and for it. Our actions aim to resist imposed narratives, celebrate the complexity of identities, and expand how we understand art, culture, and politics—through an evolving, participatory, and feminine proposition.We believe art should not only inhabit galleries or museums, it must overflow them,
weave itself into threads, oral histories, and daily practices. We believe in an art that nurtures, questions, hesitates, and bridges the past with the future. In Aliwaa, art is the place where the ancestral and the contemporary meet; where the personal and the collective, the cry and the whisper, come together.
Aliwaa is not a closed structure. It is a way of walking together, of inventing new modes of relationship between women, territories, and worlds. It is, in itself, an act of love and
resistance.
 
Text written by Stefannia Doria R.