Geran Knol

About Geran Knol

The work of Geran Knol, an artist born in Friesland and based in Antwerp, is characterized above all by a continuous exploration of form, material, and composition. His visual language is distinguished by the presence of recognizable figures that closely resemble one another and can be interpreted as self-portraits. These figures merge with their surroundings and become integrated into a distinctive composition that combines painting and textile elements.

Although his work is essentially two-dimensional, the tactile qualities of the materials, together with the repetitive nature of the composition, play a decisive role in the construction of the final image. Geran Knol describes his approach as 'complex simplicity', creating a universe imbued with humour, but also with solitude, melancholy, naivety and tender references to his Dutch heritage. His fascination with Dutch folk art is also reflected in his carefully assembled collection of wooden objects. At flea markets across the Netherlands, Geran Knol searches for intriguing wooden miniature houses, windmills and churches, some of which were originally made to serve as money boxes. For the artist, these handmade objets trouvés carry a deeply Dutch sense of identity and tradition, and they serve as a source of inspiration in the creation of his artworks.

The world he creates with his own work and the objects he likes to surround himself with, is deeply personal, while simultaneously retaining an abstract dimension.

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Born in 1991.