Wies Noest

Wies Noest is an artist who works on long-term projects consisting of growing collections of objects made of textile materials. These objects are placed in changing installations in and around buildings and in nature. In her youth, Wies was a member of the Nederlandse Jeugdbond voor Natuurstudie (Dutch Young People’s Association for the Study of Nature). She gained a diploma in decorative needlework and handicraft techniques, studied physical theatre at HKU University of the Arts Utrecht, and has been awarded various grants. Alongside her artistic practice, Wies has taught at the Noordelijke Hogeschool (Northern University of Applied Sciences) and led numerous workshops. She is fascinated by change and movement, progress through time and space, appearance and disappearance, and processes.

After three projects dealing with progress, a need arose for a place to stay, to feel at home. This led to the project BeingHere. Begun in 2014, it consists today of 38 colourful inflatable objects. The BeingHere installation is a little world visitors can get lost in and explore. Jikke Smidt has been adding small, mysterious sounds since 2018. For the Children’s Biennale, Wies has selected 15 objects, including eight new ones. Through these works, she takes you on an amazing journey from poetry to darkness, then fairy tales, and finally stillness.