Erien Withouck is a multidisciplinary artist working across visual art, film, textile and photography, with a focus on social and ecological themes. Currently, she is engaged in a long-term research project exploring indigenous plants as tools of resistance. Her work has been exhibited at WIELS, De Brakke Grond (NL), FOMU, and Mareel Art Centre (GB), and her films and performances have been featured at ARGOS, De Brakke Grond, C0NT0UR, and Brainwash Festival.
In collaboration with artist Renée Lorie, Erien shares a social photographic practice. Their joint work has been shown at Pianofabriek, De Maalbeek, Centre Culturel Namur, and Recyclart. More information on their collaborative projects can be found at www.erienrenee.be
exhibitions, & performances (selection):2025 The Scope of Stories Tracing Vernacular Landscapes, BLANCO, Gent
2025 XXX OCULI, ImaginAIR Art Space, Brussels (with Renée Lorie)
2024 performance, lovegarden, Brainwash Festival, Amsterdam (NL)
2024 performance, lovegarden, ARGOS x Oxfam Belgium, Brussel
2024 performance, lovegarden, De Brakke Grond, Amsterdam (NL)
2023 playgarden, speelweek, WIELS, Brussels
2023 Enveloped in You, De Brakke Grond, Amsterdam (NL)
2023 Patch (solo), Lerwick, Shetland (GB)
2023 Qu'est-ce que tu as mangé hier? CCN, Namur (with Renée Lorie)
2023 Take me to your place, De Maalbeek, Etterbeek
2022 SOUPAH!!!, Park Poétiek, Sint-Gillis, Brussels (with Renée Lorie)
2022 Web of Memories, Sint-Gillis, Brussels (with Renée Lorie)
2022 Brussels City of Stories, Metro Parc, Brussels
2021 .Tiff, FOMU, Antwerp
2021 Fusée de la Motographie, FOMU, Antwerp
2021 SHHHT, Stille Film Festival, Ostend
2021 From Mexico to Manchester, Recyclart, Brussels
2020 they say she was (solo), CAS, Ostend
2019 The Belgian Photobook, FOMU, Antwerp
2019 Het Nest Tussen Waarheid en Herinnering, Ijsberg, Damme
2019 Many a Moon, Recyclart, Brussels
2019 4X4 (Alumni Project), Ravenstein, Brussels
2019 That-Has-Been, 'In de Ruimte', Gent
2018 De Nieuwe Garde, Kunst in Huis, Antwerp
2017 Graduation Show, Sint Lukas, Brussels
2016 YOU!, BredaPhoto, Breda
Screenings:
2024 lovegarden, ARGOS x Oxfam Belgium, Brussel
2024 lovegarden, De Brakke Grond, Amsterdam (NL)
2024 InnerEScape, BOZAR, Brussels
2023 On Wind Knots, Cedric Willemen Award, C0NT0UR, Mechelen
2021 On Wind Knots, SHHHH (installation), Ostend
2021 On Wind Knots, FOMU (installation), Antwerp
Talks:
2025 Panel, Salon du Fanzine et de l’Autoedition, Université de Namur
2025 Artist Talk, ImaginAIR Art Space, Brussels (with Renée Lorie)
2024 Q&A InnerEscape, Oxfam Activism, Hamburg (DE)
2023 Artist conversation, UNSEEN, De Brakke Grond, Amsterdam (NL)
2020 Guest Lecture, Workshop Photography & Contemporary Art, KU Leuven
2020 Interview on BBC radio Shetland for project 'Selkie'
2019 DIP Talks, Sint Lukas, Brussels
2019 Guest Lecture, Photography and Visual Culture, KU Leuven
Publications:
2024 Take me to your place, published by Hopper&Fuchs
2024 Fruit Me! Self-published (supported by Foyer du Sud & Gemeente Sint-Gillis)
2023 Cup of Tea? Self-published (supported by Foyer du Sud & Gemeente Sint-Gillis)
2022 SOUPAH!!!, Self-published (supported by Foyer du Sud & Gemeente Sint-Gillis)
2021 On Wind Knots, De Blinkerd Editions
2019 De Belgische Treinen hebben in Februari Opnieuw wat Stipter Gereden (self-published)
2016 We’re All Living on a Giant’s Solar Model of the Universe (by BredaPhoto)
Residencies/workshops:
2026 Grinneabhat & Ann Lantair, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
2024 InnerEScape, Next Generation, please, KNEPH & BOZAR
2024 De Brakke Grond, Amsterdam
2022 De Grote Post, Oostende
2021 VOID x FUTURES masterclass, online
2021 Szenne, Brussels
2020 BAC, Leuven
Nominations/awards/grants:
2023 Laureate Cedric Willemen Award, C0NT0UR, Mechelen
2022 Development grant, Kunstendecreet, Flemish Government
2021 'Talent' for FUTURES program, Europe
2020 Laureate for TIFF program, FOMU, Antwerp
2019 Grant for Alumni Project, Sint Lucas, Brussels
2018 Young European Talent (YET Programme), Maastricht
2017 Shortlisted Photobook Award, Liège with 'We're All Living on a Giant's Solar Model of the Universe