Kees Grootenboer
Career of the Artist: Cornelio "Kees" Grootenboer Buit
Biographical Data
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1940: Born in Mexico City, son of Dutch diplomats.
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1949: His family moves to Madrid, Spain, where he lives until the age of 17.
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1957-1963: Studies Fine Arts at the École des Beaux Arts in Brussels and the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam.
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1977: Settles in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, where he develops a significant part of his artistic and architectural work.
Academic Training
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1957: Begins his Fine Arts studies at the École des Beaux Arts in Brussels, Belgium.
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1958-1963: Continues his education at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Amsterdam, specializing in sculpture.
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1964: Studies theater in Buenos Aires, Argentina, under Professor Vanarelli.
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1965: Takes courses on experimental expression for children.
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1971: Studies ceramics with Professor Paul Devaux in Vallauris, France.
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1972: Completes studies in ceramic sculpture at the experimental school of the De Porcelaine Fles porcelain factory in Delft, Netherlands.
Solo Exhibitions
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1965: Galería Excelsior, Mexico City (review by Margarita Nelken).
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1966: Galería de Arte del Liceo, Havana, Cuba.
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1970: Galería del Instituto Latinoamericano Francés, Mexico City.
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1972: Porto Bello, Galería de Arte, Caracas, Venezuela.
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1974: Instituto Latinoamericano Francés, Mexico City (reviews by Macario Matus, Crespo de la Serna, Lilia Báez, and Francisco Zenteno).
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1975: Museo de Bellas Artes e Historia, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua.
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1982: Villahermosa, Tabasco.
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1983: Stone sculpture exhibition, Oaxaca.
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1984: Painting and sculpture at IFAL, Mexico City.
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1986: Casa de las Imágenes, San Cristóbal de las Casas.
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1989: Mérida, Yucatán (painting and sculpture).
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2008: Centro de Convenciones y Galería Elisa, San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Group Exhibitions
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1985, 1990: La Galería, San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Special Projects
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1973: Archaeological drawing for the National Geographic Archaeological Project in Tanka, Quintana Roo, directed by Arthur Miller.
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1976: Reproduction of the Bonampak murals for the Florida State Museum in Gainesville, Florida, in collaboration with Felipe Dávalos (project directed by Jeffrey Wilkerson).
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1980: Archaeological drawing for the French Archaeological Mission in Toniná, Chiapas.
Architecture
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1984: Private residences (clients: Juan Blasco, Ricardo and Carmen, Ángela).
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1985: Guesthouse for the Hospital de San Carlos.
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1994: Library and laboratories for ECOSUR.
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2000: Design and construction of the Hospital de San Carlos, Altamirano.
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2005: Artisan House in Chilón.
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2006: Hermitage of Las Perlas, Altamirano (with a water collection system).
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2007: Renovation of the FOMMA Cultural Center, San Cristóbal de las Casas.
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2009: Spiritual Center, San Cristóbal de las Casas.
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2013: Hotel Philippe.
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2014: Casa del Pan apartments.
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2015: Gardens and spa for Sergia Torres.
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2016: Renovation of Casa de los Sapos.
Community Work
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1976: Installation of a water tank in Santa Lucía Pantelhó, Chiapas.
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1981: Water system in Milpoleta (Netherlands Embassy).
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1982: Airstrip in Altamirano (Oxfam).
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1983: Water system for the Hospital de San Carlos, Altamirano.
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1984: Water system in Benito Juárez.
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1985: Family guesthouse for the Hospital de San Carlos (Schumacher Kramer).
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1986: Experimental orchard in Altamirano.
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2006: Water collection system in Las Perlas (Waterlines).
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2008: Water system in Benito Juárez (Waterlines).
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2009: Water system in Chum Cerro (Waterlines).
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2010: Experimental vanilla cultivation in Chum Cerro (Foro).
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2011: Water system in Miguel Hidalgo.
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2012: Installation of latrines in Chum Cerro (Waterlines).
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2014: Installation of latrines in Benito Juárez (Waterlines).
This comprehensive documentation highlights the versatility of Kees Grootenboer as a painter, sculptor, architect, and community collaborator, reflecting his impact on the artistic and social development of Mexico and beyond.