Artist Statement
Robert van de Graaf (b. 1983, the Netherlands) is interested in the connections and relations between the mystical in this world, in all its manifestations (the sea, the sky, nature, human built environments, light and darkness), and the sense and the dimension of the spiritual world and our soul.
In his exploration he is seeking the mystical hidden in this world which he translates into metaphorical paintings. The works express a complex interplay of visual impressions combined with emotional and spiritual reflection. Each piece gives substance to his ongoing personal journey to seek meaning in life.
With his work Van de Graaf questions human destiny and how we as human beings can develop ourselves and grow on a spiritual level. He wishes his artworks to stimulate an opening towards personal deepening, both for himself and the viewer. The artworks aim to elicit a gaze back at the viewer, a reflection of feelings, crossing the line from observation to introspection.
Van de Graaf draws his inspiration from religious and spiritual stories, mythology, mystical places and the philosophy of life. He transforms his inspiration into contemporary interpretations while richly referring to artists through all times of art history such as Caspar David Friedrich, Anselm Kiefer, Joan Mitchell and the old masters.
Though primarily working on his oil paintings, he is also using drawings and watercolours during the creation process. The oil paintings are layered, densely merging his diverse range of mark making, the expressive use of colour and studied compositions. His mark making, using brushes and palette knives, is moving from energetic gestural marks to precisely observed very delicate ones throughout the different stages of the work process. The paintings are often large in scale and balance between the figurative and the abstract, giving a certain freedom to the viewer.
Van de Graaf received a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Architecture (Technical University Delft) in 2009. At an early age he enjoyed an intense private painting and drawing training (1996 – 2001) by the Dutch artist Erica Meyster (1949 – 2006).
Van de Graaf experiences the process of creating as freedom, inner battles and faith.
News
ARTICLE, written by Bianca Kann of the international art platform AATONAU
Untold Stories showcase featuring the works of 31 artists working with diverse of medium, including painting, drawing, sculpture, print and collage. Each work in this exhibition has a story to tell, and each artist aims to convey that story using shapes and colors to connect with the audience.
EXHIBITION, ‘Untold Stories’, virtual group exhibition by Artsin Square
Untold Stories showcase featuring the works of 31 artists working with diverse of medium, including painting, drawing, sculpture, print and collage. Each work in this exhibition has a story to tell, and each artist aims to convey that story using shapes and colors to connect with the audience.
INTERVIEW, Selected for ‘Meet the Artist’ curatorial project by Artsin Square
Meet the Artist is the new part of the Artsin Square curatorial project that spotlighted selected artists via “ MEET THE ARTIST OPEN CALL”
EXHIBITION, ‘Embrace of Madness’, virtual group exhibition by Artsin Square
Embrace of Madness showcase featuring the works of 33 artists working with diverse of medium, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, video, animation, and collage. This exhibition displays the conventional boundaries of artistic expression, inviting you to embark on an exploration of the human psychology.
PUBLICATION, in the Art Collector Book ‘A Like Artist vol. 2’ by Al-Tiba9 Contemporary Art
A like Artist gathers the work of some of the most exciting emerging artists, showcasing their work and vision. This exceptional book, in a limited edition of 500 copies, is designed to provide each artist with a unique chance to present their work.
INTERVIEW, with New & Abstract on ART RADAR
New & Abstract started as an art platform on Instagram – New & Abstract supports new and fresh art from emerging artists worldwide.
COLLABORATION, with Peggy, a high profile art platform to discover, buy and sell art
“Peggy is the social marketplace that allows you to discover, buy, and sell art. A place for the art-curious and the art-expert, for the art gallery and artist. A new way forward for the art world.”
“Featuring artists who have appeared in top museums around the world”
PUBLICATION, in the international Artsin Square Magazine, Issue 5
Artsin Square is an independent artist-run and ad-free international print and online platform dedicated to showing emerging artists and mid-career creatives from around the world.
PUBLICATION, in the Contemporary Art Collectors Book. Volume 1.
By Contemporary Art Collectors.
PUBLICATION, in the international Art Maze Magazine, issue 32-33
Art Maze Magazine is an international curated print and online publication dedicated to discovering and promoting experimental and progressive contemporary art.
INTERVIEW, with the international art magazine Al-Tiba9
The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.
Essay about my work, written by Ad Himmelreich, Maastricht, NL
Ad Himmelreich, former conservator of the Bonnefanten museum (Maastricht, NL), wrote an essay about my work in celebration of the solo exhibition at the ‘Salon des Arts’ in Maastricht (Netherlands).
Solo exhibition, ‘A Selection of Recent Works’ in the ‘Salon des Arts’, Maastricht (NL), INSTALLATION VIEW
Exhibition dates; 11 March – 1 May, after 19 March open on appointment
Salon des Arts
Keizer Karelplein 18, Maastricht
The Netherlands
Louis Berkhout
+31 6 51 85 22 63
Solo exhibition, ‘A Selection of Recent Works’ in the ‘Salon des Arts’, Maastricht (NL)
11 March -19 March 2023, after open on appointment until 1 May
Opening 11 March, 14:00 – 18:00. Curated by Ad Himmelreich, former conservator of the Bonnefanten museum (Maastricht, NL). Ad Himmelreich will also open the exhibition and will present the publication he wrote about my work.
SELECTED, for the ‘Emerging Artist Programme 2023’, by ‘Contemporary Art Collectors’
27 January 2023
Visit Contemporary Art Collectors – Emerging Artist Programme 2023 – to visit the Artists Catalogue.
INTERVIEW, with ‘Contemporary Art Collectors’
27 January 2023
Visit Contemporary Art Collectors to read the whole interview!
PUBLICATION, Aesthetica Magazine, Artist Directory & Publication, December / January (2023)
PUBLICATION, Aesthetica Magazine, Artist Directory & Publication
December / January (2023), Issue 110
Work in Progress in the studio, ‘The Alchemy of Dreams’, October 2022
Work in Progress in the studio – ‘The Alchemy of Dreams’
October 2022
VIRTUAL ART EXHIBITION, ‘Fabricated Realities’ by Contemporary Art Collectors
VIRTUAL ART EXHIBITION, ‘Fabricated Realities’ by Contemporary Art Collectors
15 September – 15 November 2022
ONLINE EXHIBITION, ’Tendencies in Painting’ by London Paint Club
ONLINE EXHIBITION, ’Tendencies in Painting’ by London Paint Club
10 August – 10 September 2022
The exhibition features 28 international emerging artists.
New body of work on website, the series ‘Stories of Transition’.
New body of work on website, the series ‘Stories of Transition’.
October 2020 – April 2022
ACAF x Catawiki auction, Curated by Stephanie Manasseh (SM Art Advisory & Accessible Art Fair).
ACAF x Catawiki auction, Curated by Stephanie Manasseh (SM Art Advisory & Accessible Art Fair)
22 – 31 October 2021
ONLINE EXHIBITION, ’Contemporary Narratives’ by London Paint Club
ONLINE EXHIBITION, ’Contemporary Narratives’ by London Paint Club
3 – 24 October 2021
The exhibition features 20 international artists.
WORK IN PROGRESS ‘Stories of Transition’
September 2020 – Working on it
The series consists of 22 oil paintings (one Diptych and one Triptych), 19 Watercolor Drawing Studies and Drawing Studies
REPRESENTATION SINGULART ONLINE GALLERY, Based in Paris
June 2021
SINGULART is a high profile curated online art gallery based in Paris.
VIRTUAL ART FAIR, by Contemporary Art Station, April – June 2021
1 April – 1 June 2021
Presenting works from the new series ‘Silence and The City’.
www.contemporaryartstation.com
COLLECTOR’S VISION INTERNATIONAL ART AWARD, with interview, by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
March 2021
ONLINE EXHIBITION ‘Infinite Dreams’, by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
1 February – 1 June 2021
Presenting new works from the series ‘Silence and The City’.
ONLINE EXHIBITION ‘New Horizons’, by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
3 August – 1 December 2020
Presenting new works from the series ‘Silence and The City’.
STUDIO EXHIBITION, presenting the new series ‘Silence and The City’
29 August – 19 September 2020
Presenting 17 oil paintings and 13 Watercolour Drawing Studies
PUBLICATION BOOK ‘NEW PERSPECTIVES’, with interview, by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
March 2020
Book
www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com/collector-book-new-perspectives
NEW COLLABORATION, Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
January 2019 – Current
www.contemporaryartcurator.com/robert-van-de-graaf/
WORK IN PROGRESS, Series ‘Silence and The City’
2019 September – 2020 September
The series ‘Silence and The City’ is inspired by New York City and the search for contemplation and inner silence in everyday life
PRIVATE STUDIO EXHIBITION, Dutch Art Collector, The Hague, The Netherlands
14 July 2019
Studio exhibition presenting work from the series, ‘The Bible and the Sea’, ‘Saint John’s Cave of Light’ and ‘Visions of St. John the Divine’.
EXHIBITION EUROPOL HEADQUARTERS, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Group Exhibition | 15 January – 15 March 2019
Group exhibition with Anja Vosdingh Bessem, Maria Riemen and Paole Stokman.
ART AND WINE OPENING EXHIBITION, New Studio, The Hague, The Netherlands
29 October 2017
Opening of the new studio at Scheveningen Harbor, with exhibition presenting the new series ‘The Bible and the Sea’ (2016 – 2017).
Classic event 2015, Kortrijk, Belgium
Exhibition Artfair www.classic-event.be
07 – 15 November 2015
Art Laren 2015, Laren, The Netherlands
12 – 14 June 2015
www.artlaren.nl
Represented by the ‘New Place art gallery’ (‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands)
ART & ANTIQUES FAIR, ’s-Hertogenbosch 2015, The Netherlands
19 – 27 April 2015
www.afsh.nl
Represented by the ‘New Place Art gallery’ (‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands)
SOLO EXHIBITION at New Place art gallery (‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands)
SOLO EXHIBITION at New Place art gallery
01 – 30 April 2015
www.new-place-gallery.com
ADAF 2014 (Annual Dutch Art Fair), Amsterdam
Solo Exhibition Artfair
27 & 28 September 2014 – Stand 202
www.adaf.nl
