I work with video, animation, sculpture and puppetry to build fictional and possible worlds. Through these worlds I question the disproportionate effects of systems of extraction on bodies and land. I am interested in the relationships that are made either possible or impossible as a result of these systems.
While developing a practice of puppetry, I have been learning about its historical use in playfully questioning dominant narratives, a skill that has become increasingly valuable under current regimes of surveillance and censorship.
Alongside my practice, I develop workshops for children that encourage engagement with local ecologies while centering playfulness.
Exhibitions
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
‣
Triënnale fan Beetstersweach, It hûs is net ien
Kunsthuis SYB, Beetsterzwaag
‣ Nocturnal Voices (Museum Nacht Friesland)
Tropische Kas, Beetsterzwaag
‣ final presentation residency: Water Witching
Kunsthuis SYB, Beetsterzwaag
‣ A House To Inherit: Postcards From The Future
Tschumi Pavilion, Groningen
‣ In the Courtroom with Rocks: Playground
Oerol, Terschelling
‣ Carriers
Kunsthuis Syb, Beesterzwaag
‣ In the Courtroom with Rocks
Galerie Noorderlicht, Groningen
‣ Jong en Veelbelovend
Villa Mondriaan, Winterswijk
‣ Kunstsalon IJL
Galerie Noord, Groningen
‣ Art Away
ZIP, Groningen
‣ The Parliament of Things
NEMO, Amsterdam
‣ De Kunst van het Zorgen
UMCG, Groningen
‣ Tales of the Unseen
Academy Minerva, Groningen
‣ Earths Nipples
ORKZ Art, Groningen
‣ Covid-19 Exhibition
Gallery Forma Aktua, Groningen
‣ In Loving Memory 2018 0.8°C
Sign gallery, Groningen
‣ Leven als Museum
Literatuur Museum, The Hague
‣ Shaky Grounds Festival
Academy Minerva, Groningen
‣ Illustratie57
Academy Minerva, Groningen
Kunsthuis SYB, Beetsterzwaag
‣ Nocturnal Voices (Museum Nacht Friesland)
Tropische Kas, Beetsterzwaag
‣ final presentation residency: Water Witching
Kunsthuis SYB, Beetsterzwaag
‣ A House To Inherit: Postcards From The Future
Tschumi Pavilion, Groningen
‣ In the Courtroom with Rocks: Playground
Oerol, Terschelling
‣ Carriers
Kunsthuis Syb, Beesterzwaag
‣ In the Courtroom with Rocks
Galerie Noorderlicht, Groningen
‣ Jong en Veelbelovend
Villa Mondriaan, Winterswijk
‣ Kunstsalon IJL
Galerie Noord, Groningen
‣ Art Away
ZIP, Groningen
‣ The Parliament of Things
NEMO, Amsterdam
‣ De Kunst van het Zorgen
UMCG, Groningen
‣ Tales of the Unseen
Academy Minerva, Groningen
‣ Earths Nipples
ORKZ Art, Groningen
‣ Covid-19 Exhibition
Gallery Forma Aktua, Groningen
‣ In Loving Memory 2018 0.8°C
Sign gallery, Groningen
‣ Leven als Museum
Literatuur Museum, The Hague
‣ Shaky Grounds Festival
Academy Minerva, Groningen
‣ Illustratie57
Academy Minerva, Groningen
Workshops
2022
2021
2020
2019
2021
2020
2019
‣ Games from home
Animation workshop, Asylum Seekers’ Centre, Delfzijl
‣ Het Vogelnest
Pixilation workshop, Cinekid Festival, Rotterdam & Nijmegen
‣ Onderwater Beestjes
Stop-motion workshop, Asylum Seekers’ Centre, Emmen
‣ Puppet-up
Stop-motion workshop, Academy Minerva, Groningen
‣ Puppet-up
Stop-motion workshop, Thinkering, Goa
Animation workshop, Asylum Seekers’ Centre, Delfzijl
‣ Het Vogelnest
Pixilation workshop, Cinekid Festival, Rotterdam & Nijmegen
‣ Onderwater Beestjes
Stop-motion workshop, Asylum Seekers’ Centre, Emmen
‣ Puppet-up
Stop-motion workshop, Academy Minerva, Groningen
‣ Puppet-up
Stop-motion workshop, Thinkering, Goa
Education
2025
2020
2016
‣ Mfa Planetary Poetics (current)
Sandberg Istitute, Amsterdam
‣ BA illustration and animation, cum laude
Academy Minerva, Groningen
‣ Foundation in Design
Indian Institute of Art and Design, Delhi
Awards
2022
2020
‣ Sybren Hellinga Kunstprijs
Shortlist
‣ Academy Minerva Artistic Research Prize
Winner
Internships
2019
‣ Stop-motion department intern
Studio Eeksaurus, Mumbai
http://studioeeksaurus.com/
‣ Set and prop intern
The Rumour Mill Film, Matlock
http://www.therumourmillfilm.co.uk/
Contact
dcruzolivia11@gmail.com
@oliviadcruz_
@oliviadcruz_