Joost Krijnen (Breda, 1983), living and working in Amsterdam, has developed a distinctive body of work that explores the boundless potential of drawing. His practice is characterized by a dynamic interaction between line, form, and color, reflecting a balance of spontaneity and structure. Krijnen’s distinctive style combines rapid, intuitive mark-making with an intricate, often playful approach to visual composition.

Whether through large-scale works on paper or smaller, rapid drawings, his creations reveal an ongoing process of discovery. His fast-paced, improvisational approach invites a constant transformation of figures—humans morph into animals, abstract forms shift into recognizable shapes, and faces emerge with each new stroke. The fluidity and immediacy of these pieces offer a sense of constant reinvention, where every moment captures a new possibility.

Krijnen’s lithographs showcase his engagement with different mediums while maintaining the same sense of energy and fluidity found in his drawings. These prints, often produced in multiple colorways, deepen his exploration of line and form, offering a fresh expression of his signature style.

Across all his work, Krijnen masterfully balances humor and darkness, precision and chaos, constantly pushing the boundaries of drawing. His visual language offers a unique and profound experience, inviting viewers to engage with his art in both intimate and expansive ways.

Krijnen studied Fine Arts at Sint Joost Academy in Breda (2003–2007) and was a resident at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam (2013–2014). His work has been featured in notable exhibitions, including recent solo shows and prominent group exhibitions. Krijnen’s contributions to contemporary drawing have earned him prestigious awards, such as the Koninklijke Prijs voor Vrije Schilderkunst (2015) and the De Scheffer Prize (2015), and his work is held in various public and corporate collections, including the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, and Albert Heijn, Zaandam

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