GABRIELA DREES-HOLZ
Gabriela Drees-Holz, born in Cali in Colombia, she grew up in Venezuela and Spain. As the descendant of a family of tailors, she learned to sew and crochet at an early age, and also discovered music as a means of escaping the strict Catholic family life. From an early age, she traveled the world, including South America, which interested her not only geographically but also socially. She also learned to play various musical instruments, sang in different choirs, played in drum groups, and spent almost three decades in the Düsseldorf Philharmonic Society.
After graduating from high school in Venezuela, she moved to Germany in 1973 and studied geography, German language and literature, and Romance languages in Cologne. She married and started a family, and worked for the next 37 years as a senior teacher in Neuss. After her marriage ended, she was initially very busy with her full teaching load and her role as a single mother of two children. However, coping with a stressful health diagnosis led her to take up painting in 1990, initially as a form of therapy.
Gradually, she finds more and more fulfillment in her artistic work and attends her first painting classes at the European Art Academy Trier, among other places. This is followed by her first exhibitions and sales. In 2008, she is given the opportunity to study art for four years at Alanus University, where she discovers her current textile, object, installation, and ceramic art under Paul Petri, among others.
After completing her art studies, she opened her Kunsthaus Dreho in 2012 and has since been hosting her own large exhibitions, including those featuring international guest artists. Since completing her schooling, her exhibitions have expanded throughout Germany and internationally—she can be seen in “Celebration of Nature” in Auckland (NZ), and in “Climate Action and Visual Culture” she is showing capsule works at the University of Huddensfield, London. Further works can be seen at Queen Mary University of London, the Diocesan Museum in Opole, the European Cultural Centre in Venice, and the Museo Histórico in Venezuela, among others.
This will be followed by participation in art fairs such as Artfair Amsterdam 2019, Eindhoven, and New York in 2020. In 2022, she will be Artist in Residence in Neuenburg-Zetel, and in 2023, she will be invited by Sculpture Network to give online and live lectures in Málaga. Her works have received, among others, the 3rd prize of Gallery Velorose, London, in 2020, the Finalist Prize of Grey Cube Gallery in 2021, and the 1st Sculpture Prize of Artistspacegalleryonline in 2023. In 2020 and 2021, she is also a finalist for the Artavita Artist of the Year Prize.
Ten years ago, she discovered the fascinating material of aluminum coffee capsules. Since then, she has been developing her own unique personal style of textile and capsule art. Her large participatory crocheted butterfly project in Liedberg in 2023 illustrates her constant endeavor to combine her artistic aesthetic with an appeal for environmentally responsible action. Further crocheted “rescue nest installations” and her diverse works with aluminum coffee capsules are causing a stir throughout Germany and internationally, as press articles in RP 2024, 2022, 2019, TOP 2013, and IHK 2012 underscore. She is currently developing “Black Magic Cubes,” spaces in which she invites participation with installations featuring, for example, mirrors + crocheted butterflies + caterpillars, or mirrors + whitewashed shoes, or mirrors + capsule trees, etc., complemented by light, scent, air movement, and sound.Cali inm
"Gabriela embodies great creativity coupled with tireless energy and a pronounced joy in creating. She has high standards for herself. She shows great openness to new subject areas that enrich her art. Her works always have a powerful message, especially when addressing current environmental issues and social values through her artistic expression."
Born in 1955
1974-79 Studies: German language and literature, Romance languages, Geography | Retired senior teacher | OstR.a.D.
2008-2012
Part-time art studies: Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, Werkhaus, Bonn-Alfter
Seit 2012
Founding and management of Kunsthaus (Arthouse) DREHO, Korschenbroich – Liedberg
Founding member of various local artist groups
Memberships
BBK (Association of Fine Artists) Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, Sculpture network
Breaking World 1st Sculpture Prize, Landscape Art Exhibition, Artistspacegalleryonline, 2023
The Wolf in Capsule Sheep’s Clothing Honorable Mention Award, 6th Animal Art Competition, Art Show International Gallery, 2023
Destroyed, Displaced Biafarin, digital exhibition, theme Anti War, 2022
… and yet beautiful … 1- Artavita, Finalist Award, Theme Hope, 2022
2- Biafarin, digital exhibition, Theme Women, 2021
Encapsulated Universe Finalist Price, Artist of the Year, Artavita, 2021
Capsule Cloud Finalist Price, Grey Cube Gallery, 2021
Beautiful Childhood Finalist Certificate, Art Room + Grey Cube Gallery, 2021
Penetration 1- Artist of the Year, World of Arts, 2020 2- Certificate of Excellence, Art in the Time of Coronavirus, Circle Foundation of the Arts, 2020
World in Folds Third Price, Gallery Velorose, London, 2020
Yucatan Greets the World Third Price, Leonardo da Vinci Prize, 2019
Dementia Capselentia Best Artist of The Year, 2019
Solo Exhibition: SE
Poland, Opole, Diocesan Museum 2024
SE Auckland NZ, Celebration of Nature, Cathedral St Mary´s, Golden rescue nest of Noah’s Ark of the 21st century, 2024
to the press report
Black Magic Cube 2024, Installation 1- Sinzig, Large Format, BBK + AHRTKomm 2- Rheydt, Geneickener Kunstbahnhof
SE Mönchengladbach, Citychurch, You can’t cage butterflies, 2023
Korschenbroich-Liedberg: Arthouse (Kunsthaus) Dreho
1- Liedberg in a frenzy of butterflies and art, 2023, to the movie
2- International anniversary exhibition “Encounters”, 2022, to the movie
SE Cologne, Gold Boat Noah’s Ark, Rheinau-Port, Expulsion from Paradise, large-scale installation with textile- and capsule objects, July 2022
to the movie
to the press report
Venice, European Cultural Center, my contribution: Capsulated Universe, large format capsule object, April–November 2022
SE Venezuela, Carúpano, Museo Histórico, “Mundos Perdidos (Lost worlds)” 2021, report and film (Facebook)
University of Huddensfield GB, “Climate Action and Visual Culture”, my contribution: 5 capsule-objects, 2021
Queen Mary University of London “Aluminum brakes the world”, 2021
London Island2Island, 3d. price, Velorose Gallery, (textile art), 2019
SE Eindhoven Art Fair, 2020
SE Amsterdam ExpoArtFair, 2019
Lower Saxony Neuenburg-Zetel, Artist in Residence, Climate Art Week, 2021 (capsule art)
Hannover Art art price Worpswede, (musical art object) 2019
SE Herten, “Time and Space” Maschinenhalle Scherlebeck (Film) 2016
SE, Unna, Light Museum, Museumscafe 2015
Brauweiler, Brauweiler Abbey, Rhine-Sieg Art
Solo Exhibitions (SE) and Group Exhibitions
DIGITAL EXHIBITIONS
ArtRoom, Finalist certificate, 2021
Artistspacegallery, First Sculpture Price, 2023
Biafarin, „Woman“ Finalist Certificate, 2020
Grey Cube Gallery,
“Environment”, Finalist Certificate, 2021
WORLDWIDE EXHIBITIONS
Denmark
Hadersleven, among others: Pilgrim Pictures, 2005
England
– London, Island2Island, 3. Price, Velorose Gallery, 2020
– London, Colour Boom, Boomer Gallery, 2020
– London, Being Human, Covid-19- Apart but together, Queen Mary University of London, 2020
– University Huddensfield, digital contribution: Climate Action and Visual Culture, 2021
– Tynemouth „The life of Plastic“, 2021
Italy
– Venice, European Cultural Center, April-October; 2022
– Venice, The Body Language, Itsliquid, 2020
– Florence, Internat. Price L. Da Vinci, 3d. Price, 2020
Korea, 1000 Crosses, traveling exhibition, 2023
Netherlands
– SE Eindhoven, Art Fair, 2020
– SE Amsterdam, ExpoArtFair, 2019
– Roermond, Gallery Honest-Art, 2018
– Leeuwaden, Colourfields, Art-Performance, 2018
– Sittard, Art Fair KunZfetti 2017
New Zealand
– SE Auckland, St. Mary´s cathedral, 2024
Polonia
– Opole, Diocesan Museum, 2024
– Annaberg, Artists’ symposium + closing exhibition, 2018
Spain
Barcelona, Artbox.Project, 2021
Switzerland
Zürich, Artbox.Project, 2022
USA
New York, Artfair, my contribution: Textile Artwork, 2022
Venezuela
SE, Carúpano, Museo Histórico, Mundos Perdidos (Lost worlds), 2021, Film Facebook
GERMANY
Baden-Württemberg
Karlsdorf-Neuthard „Life is beautiful“, 2019
Bavaria
EA Ulm, Restaurant and Hotel Temmenhausen 2010, large exhibition
Hamburg
Glinde Form- A(R)T, 2019
Lower Saxony
– Neuenburg-Zetel, Artist in Residence, climate Artweek (Capsule Art), 2021
– Hannover, Artprice Worpswede, 2019
Palatinate
Frankenthal, Perron Price, 2019
Rhineland-Palatinate
– SE, Remagen, Artists’ Forum 2018
– Unkel, Unkeler Höfe, 2016
Saxony
Dresden “Food changes the world” Bioplanete, 2021
NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA
Aachen, BBK, 2022
Bad Godesberg, Katharinenhof, 2018
Bonn 1- Inauguration of new artists’ forum, BBK Bonn, 2020
2- BBK Bonn+Kunstforum, “on equal terms”, 2023
3- Transform Energy, Kunstverein Bonn + AHT Syngas Technology, 2023
Brauweiler
Abtei Brauweiler, Rhein-Sieg-Art Days, 2016
Düsseldorf
– SE, Foyer Music Hall, 2012
– SE, Art Room, 2020 + 2011
Grevenbroich
– Museum Villa Erkens, Sightlines, 2022
– SE, House Hartmann 2016
Herten
SE, „Time and Space“, Maschinenhalle Scherlebeck, 2016
Krefeld, Studio am Dyk, Mauga Houba-Hausherr, 2025
Cologne
– EA, Castle Paffendorf, 2010
– Arthall Lindenthal, 2019
– EA, Arthouse Rhenania, 2018
– EA, Music Store Tonger, 2012
Korschenbroich
– Saving Bank, 2011-19
– Art House Dreho, annually
– Workplace Art, biennially
– EA, KIK Gallery, 2013
Leichlingen, Sinneswald 2016 + 2025
Marl
Marler Kunststern (Art Star) 2015 + 2016
Mönchengladbach
– SE Citychurch, Golden Butterfly Rescue Nest of Noah’s Ark of the 21st Century, 2023
– SE, DIMA 2019
– Geneickener Art Train Station since 2020 annually: Art Spring + Rheydter Art Days
– Marienkirche (Church of Maria) 2019, 2016, 2011
– Library, 2018
– Artnight, biennally
– Foyer Niederrhein-Theater, 2011
– Old Town Hall, 2010
Nettetal
Werner-Jäger-Hall, 2015
Neuss
– Rheinisches Landestheater, 2025
– RomaNEum, 2018
– Kreishaus, 2018
– Art-Kirche Christ König, 2013
– Zeughaus, 2008+2009
– artists’ quarter at Town Hall, annually
Rheinbach Glass-Museum, Art et Aqua, 2023
Siegburg
– Pumping Station, 2019
– Arthall, 2012
Sinzig
– “Large Format”, BBK + AHRTkomm, 2024
– Old Printing House, 2024
-„Change“, BBK, AHRTkomm, Old Printing House, 2022
Unna
EA, Lightmuseum, Museumscafé, 2015
Wuppertal
City Artcaden, 2017
Filme zu Ausstellungen
Sinzig, Black Magic Cube, Feast of The Senses, 2024 (Video)
Sinzig, Gross Format, Installation Black Butterfly Cube, 2024 (Video)
Citykirche, Mönchengladbach, Schmetterlinge kann man nicht einsperren, 2023 (Video)
Liedberg im Schmetterlings- und Kunsttaumel, Kunsthaus Dreho, 2023 (Video)
Goldboot Arche Noah, Rheinauhafen Köln, 2022 (Video)
Kapselkunst im Kunsthaus Dreho, 2022 (Video)
Kunst geschaffen während des Lockdowns (Art created during the shutdown), 2020 (Video)
Ausstellung TT-Fäden im Kunsthaus Dreho, Korschenbroich/Liedberg 2017 (Video)
Zeit und Raum, Maschinenhalle Scherlebeck, 2016 (Video)
Zeit und Raum im Kunsthaus Dreho, 2015 (Film), Produktion Christoph Mödersheim
Dirigat der Sinne, City Vision 2012, (Portrait)
Kataloge zu
Einzelausstellungen:
Schmetterlinge kann man nicht einsperren, Citykirche Mönchengladbach, 2023 | Liedberg im Schmetterlingstaumel 2023 | Goldboot Köln 2022 | Charaktere mit Humor, 2022 | Tapeobjekte 2021 | Art during the shutdown, 2020 | Kaffee-Kapsel- Objekte, 2019+2021 | Textilwandobjekte, 2015-2019 | Zeit und Raum, 2015+2016 | KissenKunst, 2013 | Dirigat der Sinne, 2012 | Paseo del Arte, 2011 | Kunst-Spiele, 1995-2005
zu Gruppenausstellungen: Opole, Diözesan Museum, 2024 | MuseumRheinbach, Ars et Aqua, 2023 | Venedig, European Cultural Center, 2022 | Neuenburg Zetel, Klimakunstwoche, 2021 | Island2Island, Velorose Gallery, London, 2020 | Art Eindhoven, „Catalogus 2020“ | „Leonardo Da Vinci “ Florence, 3. International Prize 2020 | „EuropArtFair Amsterdam“ 2019 | „Zeitstrahl“, Sparkasse Korschenbroich, KiK Jubiläumsausstellung 2019 | Rheydt, Marienkirche: Blaue Rheydter, 1- „Heilung-Heilen-Heilig“, Jubiläumsausstellung 2019 | 2-„Tod und Leben“ 2016 | 3- „Aufbruch“ 2010 | Kunsthaus Dreho, TAK 2019 | Annaberg Gora, dts-polnische Kunstausstellung mit BBK Bonn Rhein-Sieg 2018 | „Rhein-Sieg-Kunsttage“ Abtei Brauweiler 2016 | CityArtKaden Wuppertal 2016 | „Ortswechsel“ KiK, Nettetal | Korschenbroich 2015 | „Hoch auf dem Sandstein“ KiK, Liedberg 2013 | Siegburg, Abschlussausstellung Kunststudium Alanus 2012