René Konings

René Konings (b.1989) is a Norwegian artist creating works that reflect on the process of urban decay. His art finds the beauty in often overlooked textures of the urban environment like posters, grime, rust, and peeling paint. This use of rediscovered and repurposed objects and materials with exclusively female portraits and subtle use of color, symbolizes the beauty found in the harshness of the fast-changing and deteriorating life on a street corner.

Growing up in Bergen (NO), he could often be found wandering the streets photographing the artworks of his local heroes. This study of the culture turned into an obsession with styles, technique, and an exploding scene that captivated a young mind. The mindset of being the kid in the group, always looking up and idolizing those that came before him is still there. He admired so many other artists and quickly concluded that his own work was never good enough to see the light of day, but after getting the affirmation he needed from family and friends, he took to the streets.

One of the main concepts behind his work is that creation is found in the act of destruction. In the streets, the placement is just as important as the piece and so is the respect for what's already there. René always makes sure to contribute to the place where he makes an intervention, reflecting on the relationships of the people and the place they call home.

The portraits have their own story closely connected to the message of each piece. They all have names related to this message, and each piece provides an introduction to a new personality. Their back story is never published in full, this is done on purpose to open the viewers minds to create their own story and interpretations. Genuine emotions and human quality are his main motifs.

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, Netherlands
2019 – Urban Portfolio – Galleri Bi-Z – Kristiansand, Norway
2018 – Aesthetic Prosthesis – Skur14 – Bergen, Norway
2018 – Space is the place – 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 – Newspaper article
2017 – Studentavisa Unikum – Interview
2017 – 2 minutter Magasinet – Interview
2017 – Byliv Sør – Feature on KRS Gadekunstfestival

PROJECTS AND FESTIVALS
2022 – Norsk Litteraturfestival – Lillehammer, Norway
2022 – Norah mural – Universitetet i Agder – Kristiansand, Norway
2021 – The 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