Proof of training, period 1996 - 2001
Oil Paint
40.0 x 40.0 cm
2020
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About this artwork
Estimated Value: $2,000-2,400 The work is part of the series ‘Silence and The City’ (2019 - 2020) The work is inspired by the choices we have in life on a spiritual level, moving towards darkness, towards the light or just passing by in the tumult of life. I see the cathedral openings as a metaphor for the direction you choose to go in your inner self, one opens a piece of darkness, the other opens a piece of the light in yourself. This painting reminds me of a phrase in the song ‘Hotel California’ ‘You can checkout any time you like, but you can never leave’. I can relate on that, you can’t hide from the direction you choose for yourself. The process of growing on a spiritual level keeps on returning and you can only checkout when the big boss decides you are done, until then you can never leave. — About the series ‘Silence and The City’ - The series is inspired by New York City and the search for contemplation and inner silence in everyday life, about finding meaning in life and the connection of the spiritual world with everyday life. Every individual is confronted with a universal question how to find meaning in life. Van de Graaf feels a strong connection with the vibrance of New York City, but is also aware that searching meaning in life is sometimes harder when life is going that fast. The contrast between contemplation and the busy city life of New York City in a normal setting has been a great inspiration for him. He admires the ability of the city to be a melting pot of all kinds of people and really fell in love with the city. With this series he fulfils his wish to devote at last one series on New York. Van de Graaf draws inspiration from both the time he lived in New York City, 2006 - 2007, and his trip to New York in September 2017 and November 2019. When he was walking in New York City he was struck by moments of silence by different kind of places he documented. This documentation has been the starting point of this series.
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Artwork History
Nov 25, 2023
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About the artist
Robert van de Graaf (1983, born in The Hague, the Netherlands) is a Dutch visual artist living and working in The Hague, the Netherlands. Van de Graaf received a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Architecture (Technical University Delft) in 2009. In 2005 and 2006, he worked as an intern in architecture in New York City, while also creating artworks in his West Harlem studio. Since 2012 he is devoting himself entirely to his career as a visual artist. He has since produced a large body of work, consisting of theme-based series of artworks which are exhibited in numerous online and physical exhibitions, like his solo exhibition at the ‘Salon des Arts’ in Maastricht, the Netherlands, in 2023. The exhibition was curated by Ad Himmelreich, curator and former conservator of the Bonnefanten museum (Maastricht) and he wrote an essay about the artworks of Robert. He has also been selected for the ‘Emerging Artist Programme 2023’ by Contemporary Art Collectors as one of the 20 internationally chosen artists. His artworks are published in several international art magazines and art books as Art Maze Magazine, Aesthetica Magazine, Artsin Square Magazine and art magazine Al-Tiba9. Robert enjoyed an intense private painting and drawing training at an early age (1996 - 2001) by the Dutch artist Erica Meyster (1949 - 2006). This period remains of great importance to his development as an artist. Van de Graaf is interested in the connections and relations between the mystical in this world, the sense and the dimension of the spiritual world and our soul. The works express a complex interplay of visual impressions combined with emotional and spiritual reflection. He draws his inspiration from religious and spiritual stories, mythology, mystical places and the philosophy of life. Though primarily working on his oil paintings, he is also using drawings and watercolours during the creation process. The works are layered, densely merging his diverse range of mark making, the expressive use of colour and studied compositions. The paintings are often large in scale and balance between the figurative and the abstract, giving a certain freedom to the viewer. His art is held in private collections through the Netherlands, the United States and France.
Curriculum Vitae
Born in 1983 in The Hague, Netherlands. Currently residing in The Hague, Netherlands.
Master of Science New Place Art Gallery, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. ‘Stories of Transition’ & ‘The Alchemy of Dreams’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands ‘The Alchemy of Dreams, Part 1’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands ‘Silence and The City’ & ‘The Alchemy of Dreams’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands ‘Saint John’s Cave of Light’ & ‘Visions of St. John the Divine’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands ‘The Alchemy of Dreams’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands ‘Stories of Transition, Part 1’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands Annual Dutch Art Fair, Amsterdam, the Netherlands ‘Silence and the City’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands Salon des Arts, ‘A SELECTION OF RECENT WORKS’, curated by Ad Himmelreich, curator and former conservator of the Bonnefanten Museum, Maastricht, NL. ‘Mystical Places on the Journey of Life’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands ‘Stories of Transition, Part 2’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands ‘The Bible and the Sea’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, ‘Opening New Studio’, The Hague, the Netherlands New Place Art Gallery, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. ‘Stories of Transition’ & ‘The Alchemy of Dreams’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands ‘The Alchemy of Dreams, Part 1’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands ‘Silence and The City’ & ‘The Alchemy of Dreams’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands ‘Saint John’s Cave of Light’ & ‘Visions of St. John the Divine’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands ‘The Alchemy of Dreams’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands ‘Stories of Transition, Part 1’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands Annual Dutch Art Fair, Amsterdam, the Netherlands ‘Silence and the City’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands Salon des Arts, ‘A SELECTION OF RECENT WORKS’, curated by Ad Himmelreich, curator and former conservator of the Bonnefanten Museum, Maastricht, NL. ‘Mystical Places on the Journey of Life’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands ‘Stories of Transition, Part 2’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, The Hague, the Netherlands ‘The Bible and the Sea’, Studio Exhibition for art collectors, ‘Opening New Studio’, The Hague, the Netherlands Collector Book | Voices of Tomorrow, by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, hardcover book Contemporary Art Collectors, interview part of the ‘Emerging Artist Programme 2023’ London Paint Club, Exhibition catalogue, ‘Tendencies in Painting’ Artsin Square Magazine, Issue 5, publication of artworks in international art magazine Art Maze Magazine, issue 32 - 33, publication of artworks Contemporary Art Collectors Book. Volume 1, by Contemporary Art Collectors, publication of artworks Collector Book | New Perspectives, by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, hardcover book International art magazine Al-Tiba9, interview Essay written by Ad Himmelreich, curator and former conservator of the Bonnefanten Museum (Maastricht, NL) London Paint Club, Exhibition catalogue, ‘Contemporary Narratives Pt. 2’ Aesthetica Magazine, Issue 113, June / July, Artist Directory and Publication ‘Artist of the Future Award’, Contemporary Art Curator Magazine Honorable mention, Luxembourg Art Prize 2022 ‘Emerging Artist Programme 2023’, Contemporary Art Collectors Honorable mention, Luxembourg Art Prize 2020 Art Maze Magazine, issue 32-33, publication by open call ‘Voices of Tomorrow Award’, Contemporary Art Curator Magazine Honorable mention, Luxembourg Art Prize 2019 ‘Collectors Art Prize’, Contemporary Art Collectors Honorable mention, Luxembourg Art Prize 2021 ‘Collector’s Vision International Art Award’, Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
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