Amber Malaïka Hyacinth (1998) is a multidisciplinary artist and illustrator. Her work is characterized by colorful, richly layered imagery inspired by everyday life, culture, and nature. Often set within still-life compositions, her objects seem to hold their own stories, quietly revealing narratives of memory and connection.
''My artistic practice moves between illustration, ceramics, and textiles. Through my work, I explore themes such as culture, identity, and everyday life. I aim to make stories and perspectives visible that I believe deserve more attention. At the same time, I place great value on creating beautiful, meaningful objects.
I am currently working on my own research project called Threads of Spice. At the beginning of 2026, I returned to Grenada, the Caribbean island I had not visited for 12 years and where part of my roots lie. During my stay, I became deeply inspired by the island’s natural environment, which has since become an important source of inspiration for my work. Through this exploration of nature and diaspora, I am developing a new visual language that takes shape in textile and ceramic works.''
CURRUCILUM VITAE
EDUCATION
2018-2022 - BA Illustration Design, ArtEZ Zwolle
GROUP EXHIBTIONS
2021 DIRT, Rotterdam
2022, eindexamenexpositie ArtEZ Zwolle
2023 Extrapool, Destilaat #24, Nijmegen
2023 Gevelexpositie Paradiso x Illustratie Biennale, Amsterdam
2023 Off Grid Gallerie KRUIS-WEG68, Haarlem
2023 Illustratie Biennale Schuur, Haarlem
2023 WOBBY Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven
2024 De Grote Keramiekshow, No Limits! Art castle, Amsterdam
2024 Showcase expo, De Kelder van Arnhem
2024 Festival de Gelijkheid, Gent
2024 Poepprotest Gemeente Arnhem
2025 Centraal Museum Utrecht x No Limits! Art Castle, Castle of many bodies, Utrecht
2025 Oyfo Techniekmuseum, DvoNS, Hengelo
2025 Het Academiehuis, DvOns, Zwolle
2025 Illustratie Ambassade, getekende stadswildernis, Amsterdam
2025 Etty Hillesum, DvoNS, Deventer
2025 HECTOBAR 36.1. Online
2026 Toren van Babel, Stedelijk Museum Breda
2026 De Hoop, NDSM Amsterdam
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 DE MAMMOET, Wij(k)4&, Arnhem
2024 De Museumfabriek, DvoNS, Enschede
2024 Kunstroute Klarendal, Arnhem
2026 Back to the Roots, Broedplaats Oogst, Hengelo
2026 Threads of Spice, Arnhem
PUBLICATIONS
2023 Theaterkrant Haarlem
2023 Illustratie Biënnale x Paradiso (poster)boek
2023 VPRO gids, illustration Jeanne Henriquez
2024 Schuur Magazine Haarlem, illustration 'Black Hair Matters'
2024 VPRO Gids, illustration 'in haar recht'
2024 VPRO Gids Illustration 'Wintergasten'
2024 VPRO Gids, illustration 'Handen thuis'
2025 Book; In de kleur van de zon, illustrations
2025 Rozet Arnhem, illustrations newsletter
2025 Book; little scout and other stories, Sabien Onvlee, illustrations
2025 Zine Collectief Koppig
2025 VPRO Gids, cover illustration 'Heilige Huisjes'
MEDIA
2022 Kleurig en heerlijk overdadig afstudeerwerk van Amber Hyacinth - Dirk Limburg, NRC
2023 Keti Koti in concert Carré, NPO1, tv
2024 Enschede zet textielkunst in om duister stukje Overijsselse historie met nieuwe inzichten te verrijken - Nicole Besselink, Tubantia
2024 Podcast Dide Vonk 'Wij zijn kunstenaar'
2024 Het Klokhuis, Keti Koti, NPO3, tv
2025 Draden die verbinden: slavernijverleden in textiel, Seshiekela Moerlie, NPO cultuur
2025 Slavernijverleden komt dichtbij voor leerlingen van het Greijdanus in Zwolle, RTV Oost
2025 Studies in Textiel, La Toile Ciree, Renee Nieuwenstein
TEACHING, WORKSHOPS & MISCELLANEOUS
2023 Indifferent x Collectief Koppig x Engelhardt Fashion, 'workshop vrijheid'
2023 SUMMER PRIKKO x Collectief Koppig, Arnhem
2023 Illustratie Ambassade, Voices of Fashion, workshop punch needle, Amsterdam
2024, Illustratie Biennale, live illustration, Haarlem
2024 Stichting Jam, workshop tegelplateau, Arnhem
2024 ARTBRUUT, Workshop tegels maken met daklozen uit Amsterdam
2024 Kinderboekenweek op De Gazelle, maskers maken, Arnhem
2024 Festival de Gelijkheid, live illustration, Gent
2025 Het academiehuis, lezing Keti Koti, Zwolle
2025 Illustratie Ambassade, getekende stadswildernis, kleiwandeling, Amsterdam
2025 ArtEZ Zwolle, Alumni gesprekken & presentatie
2026, Need for Legacy, live illustration, Amsterdam
2026, Keti Koti middag, De Museumfabriek Enschede
RESIDENCES
2023, Extrapool, Destillaat #24, Nijmegen
2023, WOBBY, To Riso Or Not, Eindhoven
2026, Broedplaats Oogst, Hengelo
STIPENDS
2026, Threads of Spice, Stroomversneller
2026, Threads of Spice, Cultuurfonds
2026, Mondriaanfonds Voucher Development
2026, Springplank, Cultuur Academy
