Celestial Mountains - Quinda Verheul

Complementary to her practice as an artist, Quinda Verheul is an athlete partaking in several competitions each year. Usually, these are solo ultra-distance mountain bike competitions that depend on self sufficiency. Being in the midst of the landscape, experiencing the mountains, the different weather conditions, and the site at night enhances her fascination for the landscape which is inextricably reflected in her practice. Last year, this led her to Kyrzygstan, where she rode the Tian Shan Mountains for 1900 kilometres, completely isolated. Tian Shan is one of the largest continuous mountain ranges in the world. Its name is Chinese for “Celestial Mountains” to which her most recent series thanks its name.

In line with the concept of monism, Quinda believes that everything is one; every particle is connected to the bigger thing around us. In her work, every series explores a different fragment of the larger story. The works resulting from this series therefore share similarities with the materials and working method used in previous works, but created with a different point of reference and techniques.

KOK-AYRYK 

Inspired by her journey to Kyrgyzstan, and her experience of the enigmatic landscapes, Quinda Verheul unveils a poetic odyssey through Kok-Ayryk; her newest series named after the 3883 metres mountain pass in the Tian Shan mountains. Memories of day and night are combined in pink and blue mirrors, with the concrete lines becoming silhouettes of the mountainous terrain, forming a ballet of reflections. 

Kok-Ayryk embodies her journey through the mountains; a crisp road tracing a wild river, where clouds converge and drizzle adorns reflections. Landslides and the endless stream of rocks that cover the path form fascinating landscapes, with red and pink stones taking centre stage. As the series unfolds, clouds part, revealing a cerulean sky. The mirrors turn into a mountainous backdrop, capturing the red mountains and glaciers. As the sun sets, the sky darkens, captured in the deep blue of night. Concrete edges embody the struggle against the mountain's stoic surface, a testament to the complexities of nature, and the challenging journey in the thin air. 

KEGETI

Quinda created new works that she has named after her favourite mountain pass in Kyrgyzstan; Kegeti - a 4000 metres pass with steep and inhospitable conditions. What inspired this new series was the image of black rocks at the top of the mountain. Lingering in thin air, the black stood out against the blue sky. Being alone for days and finding the motivation to continue created a lot of room for reflection. It was in this moment that she truly became one with her environment.

Kok-Ayryk I, 2024

The results from Quinda’s most recent series will be on view as part of her solo presentation at the KunstRAI in Amsterdam! Here, you can view her works in person from March 27 until April 1st.

Tian Shan I, 2024