Maga Berr
Born in Lima, Peru
Lives and works in Rotterdam-The Netherlands

My artistic practice is driven by a lifelong fascination with how human beings construct meaning and coexist with one another and with the more-than-human world. I investigate how systems of power, belief, memory, violence and care shape our relationships, and how other forms of coexistence might be imagined.

My research begins with observation. Through dialogue, immersion and contextual research, I study the social, political, ecological and symbolic dimensions of a place or community. Writing plays a central role in my process: it allows observations to evolve into associations, verbal metaphors and, ultimately, visual metaphors. From this process emerge sculptures, drawings, paintings, installations and performances.

Rather than representing reality literally, I transform it. I use symbolism, surrealism and mythology as artistic tools to express experiences that cannot be fully articulated through documentary language alone. My installations function as symbolic habitats where sculptures, drawings, sound, ritual gestures and visitors coexist, inviting new forms of perception and empathy.

Growing up in Peru and later conducting anthropological field research in the Peruvian Amazon profoundly shaped my understanding of coexistence. My work ultimately seeks not to provide answers, but to expand our imagination and open symbolic spaces where more relational, interconnected and life-affirming ways of living together can be envisioned.

2012-2017
Bachelor Fine Arts, Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Thesis keywords: Power Dynamics of Oppression, the Artist as a Shaman, Homeopathic Healing in Art.

2005
Postdoctoral Education in International Development Studies, Radboud Universiteit, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Thesis on Politics of International Cooperation for Development.

2002-2004
Master in International Development Studies, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Thesis on the dynamics of Racism, Multiculturalism, De-colonialism, Environmental protection and Empowerment in Education System in the Amazon rainforest in Peru 2004: 5 months field research in the Amazon rainforest of Peru, for MA thesis on intercultural education.

1996-2000
Bachelor in Communication Sciences, specialisation in Film and Television, University of Lima, Peru.

2005-2011
Worked as a coordinator in diverse international social and environmental projects (in South East Asia, Europe, and Latin America), at organizations such as Oxfam-Novib, Amnesty International and Both ENDS. Research on environmental and social inequality in diverse regions of the world gathered experience in a bottom-up approach for participatory project development, facilitation processes, intercultural communication, and project management.

1999-2002
Worked in the broadcasting business in Peru in diverse positions as set journalistic researcher, designer, scriptwriter, photographer, and producer. Gathered relevant information about the socio-political situation in my own country, Peru, by developing journalistic research.

Since 2023: Member of the Cool Clay Collective in Rotterdam.
2021 Decolonial Summer School Maria Lugones hosted by Van Abbe Museum, organised by Walter Mignolo and Rolando Vasquez.
2021 Organisation of Collective IANDE, with Latin American artists living in Europe. Co curation of exhibition at CBK Zuidoost.
2020-ongoing: Permaculture activities in local community gardens in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
2020 Organisation of Capoeira Experience program: initiative to create empowering energy within the artistic community through the practice and philosophy of Capoeira.
2019 Art and Politics, six week course given by Maria Hlavajova at BAK, Utrecht.
2018 Screening of video “expectations’’ at SWITCH, Roodkapje Rotterdam.
2017-2018 Organisation of collective “The Bridge”, where artists and refugees were working together to bring their reflections about migration to the outside world.
2016-2017 Participation in working group of the “Flag of Compassion,” project by Rini Hurkmans.

Selected exhibitions:
• 2026 - Portret, C 3 - Studios Rotterdam, NL - group exhibition
• 2026 - Inmemorial, C 3 - Studios Rotterdam, NL - group exhibition
• 2026 - Art Rotterdam, C 3 - Studios Rotterdam, NL - group exhibition
• 2026 - Thinking Textiles, Nieuw Charlois, NL - group exhibition
• 2025 – Dauwpunt, Drawing Center Diepenheim, NL — group exhibition featuring
Flesh of the Flower, Spine of the Seed (reviewed in Metropolis M)
• 2024 – Big Art 2024, Amsterdam, NL
• 2024 – Test Case, Open Studios at EKWC, Oisterwijk, NL
• 2023 – Prospects, Van Nelle Factory / Art Rotterdam, NL — major presentation platform
for emerging artists
• 2022 – Yamitata Untold Stories, WM Gallery, Amsterdam, NL — co-curation
• 2022 – A World of Many Worlds, CBK Zuidoost, Amsterdam, NL — co-curation and
exhibited work (reviewed in De Groene Amsterdammer)
• 2021 – Pincoyas Memorias Resistentes, Centro Cultural Tomé, Chile (travelling show
from Museo de Historia Natural de Concepción, 2021)
• 2021 – Zomer Salon Royal, CBK Zuidoost, Amsterdam, NL
• 2020 – City Life, Museum Arnhem, NL
• 2020 – A House for the Unknown, Solo exhibition at Punt WG, Amsterdam, NL
• 2019 – Residency Exhibition, Despina, Rio de Janeiro, BR
• 2019 – BijlmAir Residency Exhibition, CBK Zuidoost, Amsterdam, NL
• 2018 – On My Way to the Galactic Supermarket, Garage Rotterdam, NL
• 2017 – Summer of Love, De Vishal, Haarlem, NL
• 2017 – Graduation Show, Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam, NL

2026 January-March Field Research Chiclayo, Cajamarca -Peru
2024 March-May Residency at EKWC, The Netherlands (upcoming)
2022 June-August Research Trip to Cajamarca-Peru.
2021 May-July Residency at Het Wilde Weten, Rotterdam
2020 February Orientation trip to prepare second stage of project in Rio de Janeiro.
2019 August-November Residency BijlmAIR Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
2019 May-July Residency Despina, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2019 January Trip to Peru. Pre- Colombian ceramic workshop with professor Jose Luis Yamunaque.
2018 November Residency BijlmAIR, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
2018 August Residency BijlmAIR, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
2018 May Orientation trip to Peru, Pre- Colombian ceramic historical places - Sechura desert.

Maga Berr
magaberr0000@gmail.com
tel:
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