Jana Coolen (b. 1996, Antwerp) is a visual artist based in Antwerp, Belgium. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp (2023). Her multidisciplinary practice engages with collaborative structures and institutional critique. Coolen has exhibited internationally at Galerie Sébastien Lepeuve (Paris) and Spazio Muza (Turin). Recently selected for the 2025 ONBOARDS Biennale, she is also the recipient of the Komask 2025 Laureate title and the 2022 Startersprijs Jury Prize.

CV

Born in 1996 in Antwerp, Belgium
Resides and works in Antwerp, Belgium

EDUCATION

2022–2023: MA Fine Arts, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium 
2018–2022: BA Fine Arts, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium
2023–present: Jewelry Design, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2025, ONBOARDS Biennale, Antwerp, Belgium
2025, Kernsysteem (duo) , Plantin Moretuslei 190, Antwerp, Belgium
2025, Expo Ensemble, T-Space, Antwerp, Belgium
2024, 21x29,7, Galerie Sébastien Lepeuve, Paris, France
2023, Artish Show 1, Artish Collection, Antwerp, Belgium
2023, Remastered, Wouter De Bruycker Fine Arts & Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium
2023, The Idea and its Skin, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium
2023, Backdoor Confessions, de Tempel, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium
2023, Antwerp Chair Collection (cur. Malena Guerrieri), Art on Campus, Wilrijk, Belgium
2023, Wassalon, Plantin, Antwerp, Belgium
2023, Babele, Spazio Muza, Turin, Italy
2022, Egg Monument (solo), Academy Garden, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium
2022, The Bachelors Party, Hopland, Antwerp, Belgium
2022, Bachelors Expo, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium
2018, Faces, Schönfeld Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium

AWARDS

2025, Laureate of the Komask 2025 competition, Belgium
2022, Startersprijs (Jury Prize), Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium
2021, Prize of the Drawing Teachers, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

Artish Collection, Antwerp; Vanhecke & Suls architect bureau, Antwerp; Ydde, Antwerp
Private collections in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Greece

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Coolen, J., The Idea And Its Skin (A Religious Intervention). Antwerp: Self-published, 2023.
Guerrieri, M., The Antwerp Chair Collection. Antwerp: Art on Campus, 2023.
Remastered: Exhibition Catalog. Antwerp: Wouter De Bruycker Gallery, 2023.

PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS

2025–present: Co-Founder, Thonk Tank, Antwerp, Belgium
2024–present: Art Fair Assistant, Art Brussels / Brafa, Brussels, Belgium
2019–2024: Exhibition Support & Mediation, various projects, Antwerp, Belgium
2023: Gallery Assistant, Wouter De Bruycker Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium