Artist Statement

I am a filmmaker and artistic archeologist based in Rotterdam (NL). I graduated with a BFA in Audio-Visual Arts from Gerrit Rietveld Academie (NL) in 2012 and a MFA in Fine Arts from Goldsmiths University (UK) in 2016.

I believe in the revealing value of long-term research. The deep dive into complex matter is an important part of my work process. With my films I want to make complex (invisible) social, political and economical issues visible. My work often arises from the question; what remains after a war and what is the impact of these remains on people and nature?

I am working as an artistic archeologist digging through our most recent history. Before it is nostalgic, before it is a story that lies generations before us. Not only to demystify, but to make the mediated and almost historicized and perhaps forgotten reality personal again.

I was a resident at the Jan van Eyck Academie (2018-2019), Visio - European Program on Artists Moving Images (2018), Film Forward (2020-2021) and Rotterdam Writers' Rooms (2024). I have shown my films at IFFR, Visions du Réel, Kasseler Dokfest, Dokufest, LeGuessWho?, East Silver Market - Ji.hlava IDFF, Sharjah Art Foundation, Art Rotterdam, MAXXI Museum and on Dutch television.

Besides filmmaking I initiate workshops for children and youngsters and I am always interested in starting new collaborations. Feel free to get in touch with me at katjaverheul@gmail.com.