Van Holmgren was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and raised in central Iowa. He has worked as a professional artist for 10 years and as a full-time artist for the last six. His work has been shown across the United States and as far as London, Australia, Canada, and Brazil. There is a certain visual vibrancy that is consistently seen in his work, be it with color or content. Art is an idea, a way to present a statement to the universe and shout as loud as you can.

 

    His work depicts the modern human inevitably confronting and negotiating all of today's experiences. Actions that have happened, will happen, and possible could happen. Much is the same with Van's more sculptural work, where he presents the viewer with everyday objects revealing silent intentions, often juxtaposing man-made traps with arrows. He uses smoke in his work to show that humans have been there and have done something to the area. Snakes are often used to depict poisonous people that have no intention to help others than themselves. It is the artist's job to wade through the muck of society to find truths to present to the viewer.

 

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SOLO EXHIBITIONS

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2018      Bitchin'! The Lift. Des Moines IA

2017      Small Fires CSPS Gallery. Cedar Rapids IA

2017      Yesterday's News The Lift. Des Moines IA

2015      S.O.S.  The Lift. Des Moines IA

2014      The Loneliest Planet  Viaduct Gallery. Des Moines IA

2013      Look Up  The Lift. Des Moines IA

2012      Feats of Strength  Thee Eye Gallery. Des Moines IA

2011      Games We Play  The Lift. Des Moines IA

2009      The Lost Diary of Malcolm Chang  Instinct Gallery. DSM IA

 

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

  

2018      Chromatic Alto Gallery. Denver CO

2017      CW4 Group Show Gamut Gallery. Minneapolis MN

2016      Truth To Power  Politicon. Los Angeles CA

2015      Brooklyn Biennial Cotton Candy Machine. Brooklyn NY

2014      Ready To Die  One Grand Gallery. Portland OR

2014      Larry vs Jerry  Spoke Art Gallery. San Francisco CA

2013      Se7en Dead  New BLK Gallery. Omaha NE

2013      2x2  Fleming Building. Des Moines IA

2013      Urban Experssionists  Black Earth Gallery. Cedar Rapids IA

2012      Baltimore Love Project  Baltimore MD

2012      Sensory Overload Whittier Artist Co-op. Des Moines IA

2011      Official Occupy Wall Street Group Show. New York City NY

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EDUCATION

 

2006    Des Moines Area Community College

            Associate of Arts

 

2008    University of Iowa - Iowa City

            Business / Sculpture & Intermedia Arts