I'm a Danish-born, New Zealand-based botanical artist. My family name is Oustrup, a village in Himmerland, the home area of the Cimbri tribe that once fought the Romans,
At Velskov ( 'Forest Wellness'), I work with the intersection of Art, Cuisine, and Nature through sensory immersion, often collaborating with other artists, chefs, and people working with natural sciences and conservation.
Velskov is the name of our native forest in Parau, Auckland , where artists, chefs, and scientists create artworks and experiences together with the flora & fauna of Aotearoa.
My lifelong voyage of discovery began in Aarhus, Denmark. Born into a long line of nordic people known for their sense of exploration and curiosity, I identify with the ancient female Scandinavian shamanic Vølve (Volva) traditions.
Later in Singapore, I began my practice of botanical art installations that became known for their experiential and sensory qualities, immersing the audience into living the story using visuals, touch, sounds, and scent.
One way of describing my art practice would be 'GastroGeography' - the taste of a place. I hope that my sensory artworks and collaborative projects amplify nature and create a sense of belonging and wellbeing.
Botanical art is a powerful reminder of our local heritage and connection to nature through plants. Contemporary botanical art designed to create sensory experiences for the audience has the potency to lower stress, connect with the land and regrow our roots.
With Q, my Indonesian/Dutch partner, and our three young children, my family is growing our roots in the beautiful forests of Waitakere after years of moving between Denmark, Brazil, Belgium, Hong Kong, Italy, France, and Singapore.
Mamakan
Botanical Artist
Born January 1971 in Aarhus, Denmark
Lives and works on a hill in a forest in Parau, Auckland, New Zealand
2015 Charcoal Drawing at NAFA Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore
2015-2016 Fine Arts: Figure Drawing, Drawing Using the Right Side of the Brain, Oil Painting at LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore
2016: Art History: Asian Art at LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore
2004-2016 Goodwill Ambassador of Copenhagen
Selected Exhibitions, Press, and Projects
2022
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Velskov, Parau, Auckland
- Mamakan x Esse | Forestscapes. A Botanical Art + Sustainable Fashion collaboration. Premiere October 2022.
- Bush Boardoom. Premiere October 2022
- The Art of Foraging, pop-up installations of food art, and performances around Aotearoa New Zealand.
- GastroGeopgraphy x Auckland Central, Immersive Installation, 19 August 2022
2021
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Seasons of the Land, New Zealand with Auckland Museum (multi-year project)
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For the Love of Botanicals, Space Gallery, Whanganui, Aotearoa New Zealand. 12-22 May 2021.
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Inspire at Te Uru Contemporary Art Gallery, Titirangi, Aotearoa New Zealand. 6 May 2021.
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Wisdom and Nature 2020-2021 by Le Ciel Foundation. Exhibition at Christie’s New York 28 February - 4 March 2020. Auction at Christie’s London in early 2021.
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The Art of Foraging, pop-up installations of food art, and performances around Aotearoa New Zealand
2020
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Kohekohe Love, an online viewing room. Premiere May/June
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Launching the Panel for Emotions, Art and Senses (PEAS), March
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Wildflowers of London. Preview at Tate Modern on 31st of January 2020
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Commission for Titirangi Earth Festival 2020
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Participating Studio - Installation at Arataki Visitor Centre and Waitakere Ranges, at Open Studios Waitakere 2021
2019
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A Beautiful Forest: Mycelium Dinners, New Zealand + Global
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Participating Studio at Open Studios Waitakere 2020
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Commission for the Spring Festival 2019 for Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School
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Commission for Titirangi Earth Festival 2019
2018
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Participant at the inaugural Holistic Visions Symposium by Le Ciel Foundation, Barcelona, Spain, Nov/Dec.
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Daughter of the Soil, for OH! Emerald Hill Art Tours 3 - 25 March for Openhouse.org. Singapore
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Women in Arts, Launching Committee. Premiere and performances, Singapore, 9th March
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Commission in the memory of Miss Agnes Joaquim. Singpost, February
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After the Rainbow. Field trip to Durban and Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, February
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Commission for Singapore Post in the memory of Agnes Joaquim, February
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Singapore Art Week, You Art What You Eat, 20th January at Tippling Club, Singapore
2017
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Treasure Island, National Museum of Singapore, 28 April to 25 June
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Invisible Realities. Mamakan Dinner Performance for The Performance Theatre, National Museum of Singapore, 15 June
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Edible Wild with Mamakan. TV. Channel News Asia (CNA), October 28
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Finissage including Artist Performance, National Museum of Singapore, 23 June
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Treasure Trails, National Museum of Singapore, 27 May to 18 June
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Field trip to Leuser National Park, North Sumatra, August. See Forbidden Fruit
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Talk at KOHLER Pecha Kucha, A Night of Discovery, The Working Capitol, Singapore, 31 August
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Talk at Excellent Sheep by The Tropicalist, WOWhaus, Singapore, 19 August
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BOTANICA Social Cocktail, Duxton Park, 19 May
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Art & Food: Botanical Treasures of Singapore Series: Noni Fruits, Mahota Commune, 12 May. Mahota x Mamakan Pop-up, Mahota Commune, 8 March
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Pecha Kucha Night Singapore HERITAGE ON SHOW, National Museum of Singapore, 9 May
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GastroGeography of Singapore, National Parks Board (NParks), Galleri Nila, 4 March to 14 May
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An Afternoon of Art & Food, Singapore Art Museum (SAM), 18 February
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Contributor to 70 x 7 The Meal Act XL by Studio Orta, NTU Centre for Contemporary Art, Gillman Barracks, 20 January
2016
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GastroGeography of Singapore, Mamakan Art Collective, WOWhaus and Fort Canning, Singapore Biennale 2016, October 2016 to February 2017
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The Foragers of Singapore. South China Morning Post, December
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Forbidden Fruit at Royal Danish Embassy, SIM University, Singapore Management University (SMU), September 2015 to March 2016
2015
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Multaia, (Student Project) NUS Yale, 1-30 September
2013-2015
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Don't Grow Up Theory. Introducing Innovation Culture to Businesses, Governments, and Institutions
2012
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Rainforest Cuisine by Mamakan and Andre Chiang, November 2011 to June 2012
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Urban Eco-Warriors, Borneo and Singapore, June 2012
2011
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Cafe Timor-Leste, Timor Leste, and Singapore. Presented to the President of Timor-Leste on 24 Feb 2012
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Participant in the inaugural Bhutan on Happiness and Competitiveness hosted by the Government of Bhutan
2010
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Curator and Initiator for the first Asian Summit for Sustainable Innovation
2009-2013
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Bionomic Age: Qi Global, National Museum of Singapore, School of Art, Design & Media - Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Goodman Arts Centre
2009
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Curator for Design for Sustainability and Circle Economy by Qi Global, Former Supreme Court Building (Now National Gallery), December and National Museum of Singapore, October
2006-2009
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Elemental Experience Design. France, Norway, Denmark, Singapore, Thailand, New York.
2001-2005
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Mood Consumption, Style-Vision France