Erik van Lieshout

Erik van Lieshout is a Dutch contemporary artist known for his provocative, socially engaged, and multimedia installations, videos, and drawings. 

Van Lieshout studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rotterdam and the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, where he received his MFA. His early work was characterized by a rough, punk-like aesthetic, often incorporating found materials and appropriated images.

Van Lieshout's later work expanded into multimedia installations, videos, and drawings, in which he explores themes of power, politics, social hierarchies, and cultural identity. His installations often involve the construction of large-scale environments or immersive spaces, which he fills with video projections, soundscapes, and sculptural elements.

In his work, van Lieshout frequently addresses his own Dutch identity and the contradictions and complexities of contemporary Dutch society, including issues related to immigration, multiculturalism, and nationalism. He also addresses broader global issues, such as the rise of far-right populism, environmental degradation, and economic inequality.

In addition to his art practice, van Lieshout has also taught at various institutions, including the Jan van Eyck Academy in Maastricht and the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris.