孟东来
Donglai Meng
 (Marta)  
B.1994, Dalian, China
Multimedia artist
Currently living and working in the Netherlands




STATEMENT(CURRENT)

My interest originates from the study of psychoanalysis, which reveals the contradiction and split between human consciousness and subconsciousness, making me doubt the authenticity of the images we present in reality. Therefore, my artistic practice is to constantly capture and feel those unobservable inner states of human beings in different contexts, such as dreams, fantasies, hallucinations, etc. I question their significance to real life. My works are mainly installations, paintings, short stories, videos, etc. While exploring the mental world of people inward, I also research the connection between actual society and human psychology. I endowed my works with fictional narrative backgrounds, just like building dreams in the real world, making them as insinuations and reflections on real problems, and trying to draw viewers' attention to their inner experience.



EDUCATION
2017-2019    MA  Fine Art, Master Institute of Visual Cultures AKV St.Joost, Den Bosch, the Netherlands
2013-2017    BA   Oil Painting, Academy of Fine Arts of Rome, Rome, Italy


ARTIST RESIDENCY
2022   Foundation B.A.D, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
2021    OAZO AIR, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2021    Nieuw en Meer AIR, Amsterdam, the Netherlands 
2020   WitteRook, Breda, the Netherlands
2019    Studio Kura, Fukuoka, Japan


AWARDS/GRANTS
2023   Artists Start 2023-24, Mondriaan Fonds
2021    Artist Project grants, Mondriaan Fonds
2020   Stipendium Emerging Artists 2020-21, Mondriaan Fonds


SELECTED EXHIBITION
Solo Exhibition
2022   Oh! My Dog!, Cha x Art, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2022   The Baron In The Trees, Foundation B.A.D, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
2021    A Porn Writer, OAZO AIR, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2021    Make Lemonade, AAIE Center, Rome, Italy
2021    A Murder Case, Nieuw en Meer, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2020   Four States, Funspace Gallery OnlineRoom, Rome, Italy (Online)
2020   Midday Dreaming, WitteRook, Breda, the Netherlands
2019    Hairy Legs Shrine, Studio Kura, Fukuoka, Japan
2017    Poetic Game, Palazzo Velli Expo, Rome, Italy 

Group Exhibition  
2023   Koortsdroom: versmelting van mens en dier, FRANS HALS MUSEUM,  Haarlem, the Netherlands (up-coming)
2023   One day I’ll fly away, Galerie SANAA, Utrecht, the Netherlands
2023   Atari, No Man’s Art Gallery, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2023   Venti Sussurranti,  AAIE Center, Rome, Italy
2023   Spring Musings & Muddy Feet, Galerie SANAA, Utrecht, the Netherlands 
2023   Launch show of Curated By, Huis Vasari, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2022   Draw the Line Ⅱ- The Female Gaze, Wobby.club, Kunstpodium T, Tilburg, the Netherlands
2022   Pets and Animals, Kollection Kitsch, WORM, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
2022   Abitudine Artistica Ideologia Eccellente, AAIE Center, Rome, Italy
2022   In a pig’s whisper, De Vishal, Haarlem, the Netherlands
2022   The Shadow Of The Void, AAIE Center, Rome, Italy 
2022   Crisis Kunst, Niffo Galerie, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
2022   Prospects 10th, by Mondriaan Fonds, Art Rotterdam,  Rotterdam, the Netherlands
2022   We are all guests#8, Foundation B.A.D, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
2022   Biennale di Todi, Tower Gallery by AAIE Center ,Todi, Italy
2021   Needles in the hay, The curators room, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2021   With permisson from the officer, PuntWG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2021   #artistsupportpledge, De Balie, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2021   CONTEMPORARY VENICE 2020, Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello/ THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space, Venice, Italy
2020  Art in the Time of Coronavirus & Social Distancing, Circle Foundation website (Online Exhibition)
2019    Graduation Exhibition - POSTCOMPOST, Master Institute of Visual Cultures AKV St.Joost, Den Bosch, the Netherlands
2019   Dream Power, Theater Vascello, Rome, Italy 
2019   Percorso d'Arte a Castiglione III edizione, Palombara Sabina, Italy 
2018   Transition, Eye Research Lab, Eye Filmmuseum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands   
2018   What Do We Dance For? Gallery Nectar, Tbilisi, Georgia 
2017   TRACCE 2017, San Domenico, Italy 



ART FAIR/ AUCTION/ EVENT
2023   Big Art, Amsterdam, the Netherlands  (up-coming)
2023   Springboard art fair, Utrecht, the Netherlands
2022   Dead Darlings, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2022   THIS art fair, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2021   THIS art fair, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2021   CONTEMPORARY VENICE 2020 - ITSLIQUID International Art Fair, Venice, Italy


ARTIST TALK/PRESENTATION
2019    Research Presentation, V2_, Lab for the Unstable Media, Rotterdam, Netherlands


WORKSHOP
2020   kidz-residency for Breda Cultuurnacht at Witte Rook, Breda
2019    organizer of the workshop “Brown shoes don’t make it” at ]St.Joost master institute, Den Bosch (with Hossein Daneshpajooh, Monique van de Ven, Simon Oosterhuis)
2018    organizer of the workshop “Incense in the room” at St.Joost master institute, Den Bosch (with Peng Zhang)