Biography
Introduction
Tineke Van der Eecken is a Belgian-born designer-maker at Tineke Creations in Fremantle (Western Australia). Her commitment to social justice and curiosity for culture were the main drivers to working and living in Africa at the age of 24. Ten years later, this experience left her wanting to explore her own self and identity. She saw the move to Australia in 2001 with her geologist husband Bert as an opportunity to develop her creative skills and establish a business in the arts. She trained in jewellery design and fabrication at TAFE and uses mainly African gemstones and Australian flora to create work. Find a list of exhibitions and events below and more information in the relevant sections of this site. Tineke continues to write and work for social justice, and she occasionally teaches groups of people to make their own jewellery as a motivational tool.
Chronology
2011
Exhibition 'Rock Pool Rythms' with Lynn Franke at Elements Art Gallery in Dalkeith (WA)
Residency in biological arts at SymbioticA, University of Western Australia
2010
Group exhibition 'Pink' in West Perth with Stephany Durack, Angela Carter and Simona Milea
Poetic Jewellery exhibition in Sinaai, Belgium
2009
Jewellery and photography expo in Cottesloe
Body of textile work in permanent exhibition Textile Museum St Niklaas (Belgium)
2008
Guest Artist/Mentor/Jewellery Artist for Allsorts jewellery workshops Arts Access Central Australia (disability and the arts)
Temptation exhibition Friar Gallery Nottingham
Selected for Membership of Design Factory (UK)
2007
Collaboration with stylist Sylvia Hatzl in Brussels
Workshops facilitator jewellery, textiles & writing Vrije Ateliers, St Niklaas
Group exhibition 'The Third House' at Ellenbrook Gallery (WA)
2006
Forest Floor traveling exhibition Victoria Park (WA) – Sinaai (Belgium) – Newark (UK) showcasing the work of West Australian artists
2005
Feuilles d’Aristoloches, group exhibition inspired by Flemish Tapistry Lille (France)
Jewellery exhibitions 'Organics' in Ghent and in Brussels
Book preview ‘Café d’Afrique’ & jewellery exhibition in Livingstone, Zambia
Gold and Silver exhibition, Monart Studio and Gallery, Dalkeith (WA)
Melville Art Awards, runner-up for sculpture award
Memento Awards, finalist.
2004
Solo exhibitions Modeshow and Morganics at Monart Studio and Gallery
Red Earth II jewellery exhibition, Sinaai (Belgium)
Artist-in-focus Mundaring Arts Centre
Artware, Old Bakery on Eight
Highly Commended in Works in Fine Metal/Jewellery, York Art and Craft Society Awards
Cert IV Jewellery Design and Fabrication, Fremantle TAFE
2003
Carry, Stitch ‘n Bitch group exhibition, Old Bakery on Eight
Red Earth Jewellery exhibition, Sinaai
First collection of jewellery created in Bali with local silversmith Ketut
Enrolled at TAFE in Jewellery design and fabrication (part-time)
2002
Making Waves, Victoria Park Centre for the Arts, Nov 2002
Joined Stitch 'n Bitch
Joined Victoria Park Centre for the Arts
2000
It all started with a handful of Zambian gemstones...
Tineke Van der Eecken is a member of the Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Australia (JMGA).
Tineke lives in Fremantle, Western Australia where she has her studio and writes. For information on her book Cafe d'Afrique and other published true stories by Tineke Van der Eecken, follow the link below.
