ABOUT

René Konings (b.1989) is a Norwegian contemporary artist who operates at the intersection of urban chaos and the quiet reflection of the studio, where textures, colors, and forms re-emerge as poetry in material form. He is known for collecting materials from urban environments—such as posters, stickers, rust, and flaking paint—and giving them new life through his artworks. By utilizing materials that might otherwise be overlooked or discarded, he challenges traditional notions of artistic media and highlights the aesthetics of reuse.

René's artistic practice is deeply rooted in the rawness and decay of the city. From an early age, he drew inspiration from urban settings and the street art scene, where improvisation and informal techniques shaped his expression. Over the years, he has transitioned from the informal frameworks of street art to the institutional world of galleries, yet his roots in urban expression remain evident in his work. This transition has led to a nuanced exploration of urban contemporary art, where elements of street culture intersect with the more contemplative art scene.

His works combine the raw and the refined, reflecting a dialogue between spontaneity and planned composition. Through his precise, almost tender attention to detail, he demonstrates how seemingly worthless objects can be revitalized. The process is both technical and impulsive, with each piece balancing between the intentional and the spontaneous, resulting in texture-rich works that convey the hidden stories of the city.

Through his art, René invites viewers to reflect on the passage of time, consumption, and renewal. His works create a deeper connection between the past and the present, opening up new perspectives on what we typically overlook in our daily lives. In an era where sustainability and recycling are becoming increasingly important, Konings questions society's consumer culture while simultaneously celebrating the aesthetic complexity of urban life.

CV

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023 – Living Decay – Galleri Bi-Z – Kristiansand, Norway
2018 – Spread the bird – Haavik Galleri – Kristiansand, Norway
2016 – Bird is the word – Bakgaarden – Kristiansand, Norway

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2023 – RK x Canevil – UNAS – Bergen, Norway
2021 – Streetart – Galleri Bi-Z – Kristiansand, Norway
2019 – A-Laget – Galleri A – Oslo, Norway
2019 – Rembrandt – Spaklers Gallery – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2019 – Urban Portfolio – Galleri Bi-Z – Kristiansand, Norway
2018 – Aesthetic Prosthetic – Skur14 – Bergen, Norway
2018 – Space is the place – The NuArt Gallery, Stavanger, Norway
2017 – EK x Vipers Kristiansand – Haavik Galleri – Kristiansand, Norway
2016 – Stipendutstillingen – Bakgaarden – Kristiansand, Norway

PUBLICATIONS

2023 – NRK – TV interview
2023 – NRK – Online article
2023 – KRS Avis – Interview
2022 – NRK – Litteraturfest på Lillehammer – TV interview
2021 – Universitetet i Agder – Interview
2021 – Fædrelandsvennen – Reader's letter
2018 – Graffiti Street – Feature on NuArt Festival
2018 – KRSby – Interview
2018 – Global Streetart – Interview
2017 – NRK Sørlandet – Online article
2017 – Fædrelandsvennen – Newpaper article
2017 – Studentavisa Unikum – Interview
2017 – 2 minutter Magazine – Interview
2017 – Byliv Sør – Feature on KRS Gadekunstfestival

PROJECTS & FESTIVALS

2022 – Norsk Litteraturfestival – Lillehammer, Norway
2022 – Norah mural – Universitetet i Agder – Kristiansand, Norway
2021 – Commission – Nordoff Bergen – Bergen, Norway
2021 – Brigette mural – Universitetet i Agder – Kristiansand, Norway
2019 – Calle Libre – Vienna, Austria
2018 – NuArt Festival – Stavanger, Norway
2018 – Inés mural – Galeria De Arte Urbana – Lisbon, Portugal
2018 – Hardangerfjord Streetart Festival – Sunde, Norway
2018 – NuArt RAD – Oslo, Norway
2018 – Studentfestivalen UGA – Kristiansand, Norway
2017 – EK x Vipers Kristiansand – Kristiansand, Norway
2017 – KRS Gadekunstfestival – Kristiansand, Norway
2016 – KRS Gadekunstfestival – Kristiansand, Norway