Katrien Van Der Schueren - Two new works by artist Katrien Van Der Schueren presented at PAD Paris by Galerie Jag

2026-04-10

Now on view through April 12, 2026, sculptural artist Katrien Van Der Schueren is presented by Galerie Jag at PAD Paris, held in the Jardin des Tuileries. On this occasion, she unveils a new body of work centered on two ambitious wall-based concepts, ''The Ark of Us'' and ''Sculpted Stories''.

Conceived as an extension of her sculptural practice, the project marks a shift toward a more immersive, intimate, and experiential approach. Katrien Van Der Schueren introduces a distinctive element: hidden niches embedded within sculpted wall compositions, evoking the mystery of cabinets of curiosities. Through this new direction, her work enters into a broader dialogue between contemporary art, collectible design, and spatial installation.

On view with Galerie Jag at Stand 37, the presentation invites visitors to experience the work firsthand.

Sculpted Stories: A Living Narrative in Form

With Sculpted Stories, Katrien Van Der Schueren explores sculpture as an evolving language of memory and narration. Composed of interconnected forms, the work unfolds like a fragmented story, where each element carries traces of gestures, symbols, and lived experience. Crafted through an intuitive process, the composition reveals a shifting narration of forms that appear both ancient and immediate. Hand-sculpted in wood and built up in plaster, sand, and resin, Sculpted Stories remains open and fluid, allowing meaning to emerge over time. The viewer is invited not only to observe, but to interpret and engage, becoming part of the story itself; much how we all have the capability to write the story of our own lives, if we only have the courage.

The Ark of Us: Bridging the Personal and the Universal

With The Ark of Us, Katrien Van Der Schueren gives form to a universal language rooted in ancestral memory and predating words. Composed of sculpted wall fragments reminiscent of early archaeological remains, the work evokes a shared interaction of experiences and ideas. Crafted from carved wood coated in plaster and punctuated with hidden bronze niches, its richly textured surface invites touch, turning viewing into a physical, intimate experience. Hidden compartments embedded within the structure function as small treasure troves inviting viewers to submit and store personal narratives, allowing the work to evolve into a living, layered archive of memory.

About Katrien Van Der Schueren

Katrien Van Der Schueren is a self thaught Belgian-born sculptural artist based in Los Angeles. She combines a deep respect for artistic tradition with a distinctly contemporary voice. Her practice is rooted in curiosity and discovery, with cultural encounters and landscapes continually inspiring new ways of seeing, understanding, and shaping.

Material experimentation lies at the heart of her process. Van Der Schueren treats wood, stone, clay, metal, resin, and composite media as collaborators, coaxing them into surprising transformations. Each piece reflects refined technical mastery while retaining an element of the unexpected-feminine, powerful, and quietly subversive. Raw but poetic. Sought after for her ability to transform architectural and spatial environments, Van Der Schueren's works transcend the boundaries of sculpture, design, and installation.