Biography
Mark van den Heuvel — The Visionary of Alienation and Emotion
Born in 1982 in the Netherlands and raised in the picturesque city of ’s-Hertogenbosch, Mark van den Heuvel has travelled an unconventional path toward becoming a recognized name in fine art photography. His early years were defined by restless curiosity and a drive to explore different creative fields. After navigating a challenging school life, Mark found his footing in sound engineering and event management, working on numerous national and international productions. A decade later, his leadership skills propelled him into the telecom industry, where he quickly rose to the position of regional manager at a global firm.
Yet, beneath the surface of corporate success, Mark’s creative pulse never waned. In 2016, he decided to follow his true calling—fine art photography. What began as a long-nurtured passion soon transformed into a full-time pursuit. His first conceptual series, Alienation (2016), was immediately recognized by a local gallery and marked the beginning of his artistic journey. Subsequent works, including The Ego Has Landed and his distinctive Polaroid series, sold out quickly, cementing his reputation as a photographer capable of evoking both wonder and introspection.
Mark’s fine art photography has been widely appreciated for its emotional depth, surreal aesthetic, and exploration of modern social dynamics. His pieces have been acquired by major art institutions and collections, notably including two unique works from his 2017 series “Hieronymus Garden,” now part of the private collection at the Hieronymus Bosch House in the Netherlands. His strong presence in Sweden’s art scene was affirmed through multiple municipal acquisitions, as well as by the Regional Värmland Art & Culture Unit, one of his major collector accounts.
Mark’s works such as Moerputten, Color Madness, School of Wonders I, and The Cave have found their way into public collections across Sweden, reflecting a consistent recognition of his unique visual language and artistic voice.
After several successful years abroad, Mark and his wife established Studio Mark & Jimena in Sweden—a creative space combining a fine art gallery, a summer shop, and a marketing studio. Following a brief pause in his artistic career, 1/1/2025, Mark is now returning to his roots in the Netherlands to continue his evolving artistic journey.
A self-taught photographer and storyteller at heart, Mark’s work captures the pulse of a fast-changing society, balancing irony, emotion, and symbolism. His photographs invite viewers to smile, question, and reflect—challenging them to see beyond the surface of the ordinary.
Born in 1982 in the Netherlands and raised in the picturesque city of ’s-Hertogenbosch, Mark van den Heuvel has travelled an unconventional path toward becoming a recognized name in fine art photography. His early years were defined by restless curiosity and a drive to explore different creative fields. After navigating a challenging school life, Mark found his footing in sound engineering and event management, working on numerous national and international productions. A decade later, his leadership skills propelled him into the telecom industry, where he quickly rose to the position of regional manager at a global firm.
Yet, beneath the surface of corporate success, Mark’s creative pulse never waned. In 2016, he decided to follow his true calling—fine art photography. What began as a long-nurtured passion soon transformed into a full-time pursuit. His first conceptual series, Alienation (2016), was immediately recognized by a local gallery and marked the beginning of his artistic journey. Subsequent works, including The Ego Has Landed and his distinctive Polaroid series, sold out quickly, cementing his reputation as a photographer capable of evoking both wonder and introspection.
Mark’s fine art photography has been widely appreciated for its emotional depth, surreal aesthetic, and exploration of modern social dynamics. His pieces have been acquired by major art institutions and collections, notably including two unique works from his 2017 series “Hieronymus Garden,” now part of the private collection at the Hieronymus Bosch House in the Netherlands. His strong presence in Sweden’s art scene was affirmed through multiple municipal acquisitions, as well as by the Regional Värmland Art & Culture Unit, one of his major collector accounts.
Mark’s works such as Moerputten, Color Madness, School of Wonders I, and The Cave have found their way into public collections across Sweden, reflecting a consistent recognition of his unique visual language and artistic voice.
After several successful years abroad, Mark and his wife established Studio Mark & Jimena in Sweden—a creative space combining a fine art gallery, a summer shop, and a marketing studio. Following a brief pause in his artistic career, 1/1/2025, Mark is now returning to his roots in the Netherlands to continue his evolving artistic journey.
A self-taught photographer and storyteller at heart, Mark’s work captures the pulse of a fast-changing society, balancing irony, emotion, and symbolism. His photographs invite viewers to smile, question, and reflect—challenging them to see beyond the surface of the ordinary.
Exhibitions
2018
1 – 4 Nov, Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam, Gallerie Sille Kunst, The Netherlands
2019
25 Jan – 3 March, Group Exhibition, ANiMAL, Fotogalleri Vasli Souza, Malmö, Sweden
01 Sept – 31 Dec, Poster Series, Boel073, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
28 – 29 Sept, Hantverkrunda Sunne, Sunne Hembygdsgård, Sweden
26 Oct – 23 Nov, Solo Exhibition, Galleri Björken, Sunne, Sweden
2020
10 – 12 Apr, Frykens Konstrunda, Hotell Frykensstrand, Sunne, Sweden (cancelled)
30 Mar – 25 Apr, Solo Exhibition, Torsby Bibliotek, Torsby, Sweden
19 – 23 Apr, Online Exhibition, Marvelous Art Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey
27 Jun – 19 Jul, Group Exhibition, Changing Ruins Exhibition 2020, Gallery Studio Todays, Nagoya, Japan
2021
05 Jun – 14 Aug, Summer group exhibition, Galleri Björken, Sunne, Sweden
09 – 30 Jan, Solo Exhibition, Galleri Konst I Karlstad (Kika), Karlstad, Sweden
2022
28 Oct '21 – July '22, Group Exhibition, Dutch Art House – Schijndel, The Netherlands
15 – 17 Apr, Påsk exhibition, Hotell Frykenstrand, Sunne, Sweden
27 May – 17 Jun, Solo Exhibition, Galleri Passagen, Årjäng, Sweden
11 Jun – 28 Aug, Summer Group Exhibition, 100% PALETT, Laxholmen Kulturhus, Munkfors, Sweden
1 Oct – 18 Nov Värmlands Könstförening, Höstsalong at Värmlands Museum Karlstad (Juried exhibition)
2023
29 April – 28 May Vårsalong Museum Kvarnen, Filipstad, Sweden
Summer '23 Group Exhibition TONART, Laxholmen Kulturhus, Munkfors, Sweden
17 June – 5 Aug. Duo Exhibition with Karin Gustavsson, Arvika Konsthall, Arvika, Sweden
30 Sept - 19 Nov Höstsalongen, Rackstad Museet, Arvika Konsthall
(Juried exhibition)
2024
09 Feb - 01 Mar, Konstrummet Melleruds Bibliotek, Mellerud, Sweden.
11 Jun - 05 Aug, Group Exhibition, Galleri Björken, Sunne, Sweden
02 Sept - 23 Sept, Eda Bibliotek, Charlottenberg, Sweden
16 Nov - 15 Dec, Sunsbergs Gård, Sunne, Sweden
29 Nov - 21 Dec, Galleri Ekdahl, Karlstad, Sweden
2027
Aug, TBA
Collections
2017
“Hieronymus Garden I & II” added to the Hieronymus Bosch House collection, ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
2021
“Stadhuis II” is added to the collection of Karlskoga Kommun
“Stadhuis II” is added to the collection of the county collection of Region Värmland
2022
“Moerputten” added to the collection of Årjängs Kommun, Sweden
“Colormadness” is added to the collection of the county collection of Region Värmland
2023
“Paleisburg I” is added to the collection of the county collection of Region Värmland
"School Of Wonders I" is added to the collection of Arvika Kommun, Sweden.
2024
"The Cave" is added to the collection of Eda Kommun.
Membership
* Former member Värmlands Konstnärsforbund
* Former member Kultur Poolen
* Former member Kultur Poolen
Publications
2018
Your Daily Male 2018
2020
Marvelous Art Magazine May 2020 Issue
QuarantineMag Contemporary Art Magazine
2023
Photozine 1
Press
2019
25 October Fryksdalsbygden newspaper
2020
23 September NWT newspaper
2021
8 January NWT newspaper
8 January Värmlands Folksblad newspaper
15 January Fryksdalsbygden newspaper
2023
16 June Arvika Nyheter newspaper
2024
29 Nov NWT newspaper
Testimonials
I min situation som kulturutvecklare och utställningsansvarig i Årjängs kommun så vill jag att våra kommuninvånare/besökare ska få ta del av så mycket olika uttrycksformer som det bara är möjligt, både professionella konstnärer till amatörer till elevutställningar.
Jag strävar efter att konsten som visas i vårt lilla galleri, Galleri Passagen, skulle skapa intresse och nyfikenhet och samtal från våra besökare.
Mark ́s utställning väckte nyfikenhet och man undrade över detaljerna i bilderna vilket gjorde att jag fick vara med och prata om konst och den totala friheten en konstnär har att ställa frågor, väcka oro, locka till skratt eller annat.
Jag kan väldigt enkelt rekommendera Mark och hans bildvärld, en utställning som blev mycket uppskattad och vi köpte in en bild som hänger i biblioteket och fortsatt väcker nyfikenhet.
Jag vill rekommendera Mark van den Heuvel fina konst. Han ställde ut i vårt konstrum på Melleruds bibliotek 20240210-20240301
Han fotografier visar på stor kreativitet, underfundighet och kvalitet.
Utställningen hade många besökare och VÄLDIGT många berömde utställningen.
Så jag rekommenderar andra konsthallar att ta emot Mark och hand fina konst.