Mirjam Westen

Mirjam Westen is a curator, critic and editor in the field of contemporary art, gender, diversity and global art. Her essays and reviews have been published in journals, art magazines and catalogues. She recently curated Trailblazers. 150 years Royal Award for Modern Painting (at Palace, Amsterdam, 2021). She curated the  Prospects & Concepts exhibitions in 2014 and 2015 with work by young artists (Van Nelle / Mondrian Fund, Rotterdam).

Working as a senior curator of contemporary art in the Museum Arnhem (NL), she has curated exhibitions, such as Living Forgiving Remembering (2020-2021), Your Voice Matters (2019) and Millennials (2016). She organized Female Power. Spirituality, matriarchy & empowerment (2013), rebelle. Art & Feminism 1969-2009 (2009) and was co-curator of (Antwerp 1999-Arnhem 2000).

Alongside group shows she curated numerous solo exhibitions, amongst others, Kara Walker (2002), Emily Jacir (2003), Lida Abdul (2006), Regina Galindo (2007), L.A. Raeven (2010), Berni Searle (2011), Heidi Sincuba (2011), Alicia Framis (2013), Esiri Erheriene-Essi (2014) and Almagul Menlibayeva (2019). In addition to her curatorial and writing activities, she gives lectures.  She is member of AICA, CIMAM, ArtTable Netherlands, M/Other Voices and IKT (International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art). Recent publications include essays in Ons Erfdeel andMetropolis M.

From August 2022, Westen works as independent curator.