Born: Mechelen, Belgium, 1983
Resides: Lives & works in Bonheiden, Belgium

Karen Verlinden, a Belgian ceramic artist, creates unique sculptures that bring together craftsmanship, simplicity, and the interplay of light and shadow. Her work reflects the influence of her graphic background, rooted in her family's generations long printing business. Textures, paper, and her refined use of white in compositions subtly reference this past and serve as an inspiration for her ceramic art. 

Her fascination with the tactile and tangible qualities of materials began with paper the soft textures, delicate thickness, and the contrast between light and shadow. This ability to appreciate the beauty of simplicity forms the foundation of her sculptures, where ceramics and the inherent character of the material take center stage. In her creative process, Aline continually explores the boundaries of clay and paper, playing with their possibilities and limitations. 

Tanizaki's renowned essay "In Praise of Shadows" serves as a significant inspiration in her work. Verlinden uses light and shadow to add dynamism and depth to her sculptures. The reflections and dancing shadows turn her installations into living compositions, each telling a different story depending on the perspective. Her use of white enhances this effect, emphasizing both the structure and the imperfections of the material, which lend her work a unique, honest expression. 

Another striking aspect of Karen's work is her embrace of imperfections. She makes these flaws visible, turning them into an integral part of the artistic narrative. These imperfections add a deeper layer of authenticity and give her work a fragile yet powerful aesthetic. 

By combining paper, ceramics, and light, Karen creates sculptures that engage the viewer in an emotional and visual dialogue. Her pieces, often minimalistic and monochromatic, highlight the beauty of structure, form, and material. Each artwork is handcrafted, with her autodidactic artistic development driving a continuous search for new forms, techniques, and meaning. 

In Karen Verlinden's world, past and present merge: the graphic precision of paper, the organic nature of clay, and the poetic interaction between white and shadow. Her art invites the viewer to embrace imperfection and find beauty in simplicity and detail.