About

Introduction

Maggy Kukler was born in the Netherlands in 1946. Following her studies in Art and Design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague she lived in various African countries, the Caribbean, and Greece for over 30 years.

Besides being a passionate and diverse artist she has put her skills to work in development projects teaching vocational skills to underprivileged women.

Personal

Maggy is inspired by nature, its organic shapes, structures and patterns but also her personal observations of changes in time and places, from the smallest of corals to the wide expanses of African plains. In her work she explores compositions, colours, forms and feelings.

Naturally the countries she lived in, and their vibrant cultures, played an integral part in shaping her ideas for artworks- as do the countless sketches, notes and memories of these places. Often strongly recognizable in her work is the sense of 'fernweh' (the longing for faraway places) and solitude.

She has exhibited works in many exhibitions, both solo shows as well as joint exhibitions with other artists.

Resume

Presently Maggy lives in the Netherlands where she works as an independent artist.
From 2004 to 2012 she lived in Greece on the island of Lefkada in a house which she designed herself and where she had her art studio.

While living in Namibia from 1999 to 2004 she established a training and production project for women in Windhoek's poor neighbourhoods. The project 'Ekwatho' specifically focused on the production and sale of high quality designer quilts.

From 1990 to 1999 Maggy lived in the Netherlands where she continued work as an independent artist and as an art teacher.

In Kenya (1981 to 1990) Maggy joined a project in the Mathare Valley slums and created the successful commercial production project 'Pamoja', resulting in sustainable income for the participating women. She also worked for the National Museums of Kenya, where among others she produced murals in the Kitale Museum depicting the various ethnic groups of western Kenya.

While living in Trinidad & Tobago from 1978 to 1981 she participated in several exhibitions.

In Botswana (1972 to 1978) Maggy established a textiles training and employment creation project for rural women.
She also assisted the University of Botswana in designing education materials for community awareness campaigns. She later created large natural history dioramas for the National Museums of Botswana.

Maggy Kukler Artist