Hans Hoekstra (Groningen, 1983) lives and works in Groningen. His painting practice is rooted in attentive observation, transforming everyday subjects into images that combine intimacy, clarity, and a sense of quiet drama.
Hoekstra often focuses on a single motif, be it a person, an object, or a plant, rendered with heightened presence through careful contrasts of light and shadow, balanced color, and an improvisational approach to composition. His brushwork alternates between precision and openness, creating works that resist fixed narratives and instead emphasize the act of looking. What emerges is a body of work that prioritizes attentiveness and presence, while leaving space for ambiguity and interpretation.
Hoekstra studied at the Kunstacademie Minerva in Groningen (2003–2007) and the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf (2005–2006), before completing a two-year residency at De Ateliers, Amsterdam (2007–2009). More recently, he obtained a Master in Arts Education at Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen (2021–2023).
His work has been widely exhibited in solo presentations, including Gezelschap (2024, Galerie m.simons, Amsterdam), Recente schilderijen (2022, Galerie m.simons, Amsterdam), Winterse Taferelen (2021, Walgenbach Art & Books, Rotterdam), and In het atelier (2019, Villa de Bank, Enschede). Earlier exhibitions include Postures / Poses (2017, Melklokaal, Heerenveen) and All of us (2014, Drents Museum, Assen).
He has also participated in numerous group exhibitions such as Gen F – 75 jaar figuratieve kunst (2025, Drents Museum, Assen), Vanuit mijn venster (2024, Museum Belvedère, Heerenveen-Oranjewoud), Labyrinthia (2024, Drents Museum, Assen), Unlimited – Zelfportretten uit de eigen collectie (2022, Drents Museum, Assen), and Tekenen nu (2017, Museum De Buitenplaats, Eelde). His work was presented in multiple editions of the Koninklijke Prijs voor de Vrije Schilderkunst (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012), and internationally in FORCEFIELD Drawing Show (2014, Institut de Carton, Brussels) and Geurt van Dijk und seine Schüler (2008, Kunstverein Emmerich).
Hoekstra’s paintings are represented in several public and corporate collections, including the Drents Museum (Assen), Museum Belvedère (Heerenveen-Oranjewoud), the AKZO Nobel Art Foundation, the DELA collection, and the Drake collection (Wassenaar).
