Mark Schalken
author · photographer · designer
Mark Schalken (born 1967) is a Dutch photographer, designer and visual artist based in Amsterdam, who grew up in the Noordoostpolder. He studied design in Eindhoven, graphic design in Breda, and cultural studies at the University of Amsterdam. In 1997 he co-founded the design bureau De Ruimte ontwerpers vof with Albert Hennipman; the bureau produced communication materials for the GroenLinks Scientific Bureau for more than fifteen years and closed in 2021. He taught the history of graphic design at Academie St. Joost in Breda. In 2012 he was artist-in-residence at the Zin monastery in Vught, a period that marked a shift toward independent artistic practice. In 2019 he co-founded Huis van Betekenis in Utrecht, an incubator for illustrators. Since 2016 he has regularly exhibited his autonomous drawing work. His photobook Polderlichaam (Polder Body, 2014) is the result of roughly twelve years of photographing the Noordoostpolder landscape and its youth, presented as seven series of black-and-white 'picture poems'. Schalken's work also includes the art journal De tedere activist (2024).[1,2,3]
- Noordoostpolder landscape and childhood memory
- Photography and graphic design as layered 'picture poems'
- Autonomous drawing and portraiture
- Independent artistic practice after a graphic design career
Works by Mark Schalken
- 2014 Polderlichaam (Polder Body) Photobook by Schalken, who is credited as photographer and designer. Seven black-and-white series in duotone, presented as 'picture poems'. Sources disagree on the year (2013 on the artist's site; 2014 on the listing and the task brief) and on format (24x32 cm on the artist's site; 24x34 cm on the listing). Standard edition EUR 35 and pocket edition EUR 12.50 per the artist's site. Pages: 128 per the artist's site.
- 2024 De tedere activist Art journal by Schalken, listed on his site. Publisher and language not verified.
Exhibitions
- 2014 Polderlichaam
- 2015 Polderlichaam (spatial installation with pocket edition)