Charmaine de Heij

info@charmainedeheij.com
Photographer and curator based in The Hague in the Netherlands. 
For my resume, scroll below. For information about my artistic practice, click here.

My curatorial practice centers on revealing that colonial history is not only in the past but is still around us every day. I want to make the ongoing impact of colonialism visible in our society. History has largely been written from a white, colonial perspective, and now it’s time to reclaim our voices, our history, and our stories. This topic is not only professional: it is deeply personal, coming from a Dutch and Surinamese background. This has shaped my perspective and pushed me to examine and question the ways in which colonialism still has an impact on our modern society. The chains of this history are still carried today, and it shapes identities, social structures, and cultural narratives, and this often goes unnoticed. 

As a curator, artist, and researcher, I am dedicated to creating spaces where personal and cultural heritage, collective memory, and overlooked histories come to the forefront, inviting audiences to engage in meaningful reflection and critical thinking. Curating is not only about showing art, it is about creating an environment where the audience can experience growth and education. 

In the past, I gained experience as a co-curator, in projects unrelated to colonialism. In 2024 I started to explore this as Young Curator 2024, a program by QISSA and NDSM-Werf. This was centered around ‘In Tune’ by Henk Schut. Shortly after, I got the opportunity to be the curator/visual storyteller for La Isla Bonita. This is an exhibition related to the launch of a podcast by Latin American Women in Deventer. Looking ahead, I am curating a program for the Go Short Film Festival, where I will return to themes of colonialism and its lasting contemporary impacts.

I am passionate about creating interactive, participatory experiences that invite the public to engage directly with the themes of my exhibitions. Whether through reflective writing exercises, public rituals, or installations, I aim to transform the audience into active participants. At times, this approach overlaps with my own artistic practice. 

If you're interested in collaborating or would like to learn more about my curatorial work, feel free to reach out. I’m always open to connecting with artists, institutions, and individuals who share a commitment to exploring complex histories and creating meaningful dialogues. You can contact me at info@charmainedeheij.com