New York art critic Ann Williams: Caroline Kampfraath pushes boundaries

Art residency Japan 2024, Studio Kura, Fukuoka

Caroline highlights the way her work comments on society in visual arts magazine Al-Tiba9 

About Caroline

Caroline Kampfraath is a Dutch sculptor mostly exhibiting abroad. Her works consist primarily of elements that she fuses into the total artwork; often thematic pieces and installations. According to Caroline each work needs its own material, with which she imposes quite some challenges on herself.

In her visual language Caroline often uses symbols such as engorged veins, dead dogs or kidney-shaped dishes. These sometimes-enigmatic elements give her work a surreal atmosphere. In the execution of her ideas she uses materials as diverse as natural resin, clay, flax, artificial resin, wool, lead, plaster, glass, bronze and stone. These materials may seem an unlikely match but hold our attention due to their contrast. Her imagery is sometimes surreal, but more often puzzling or even alienating. Her works can rarely be interpreted at a glance, even though her titles may give a hint to their underlying meaning.

For more information about Caroline and her work, please see below.

Caroline Kampfraath                      Photo ©Ingrid de Groot

One of the central themes in Caroline’s work is the difference between expectations and reality. In daily life, people have great expectations. Everyday, careless objects such as bottles and tables represent the vulnerability and insignificance of man. We live for our illusions.

Caroline is a member of the Society of Sculptors (The Netherlands), International Sculpture Network and the Royal Society of Sculptors (UK).