Willem Zijlstra (1954) studied at the Art Academy in Amsterdam. He works as an art teacher in secundary education and teaches painting at the Gooise Academy in Laren, The Netherlands. In his autonomous work forms take shape based on observation or themes such as growth, sacrifice, and horizon. While trained as a painter and draughtsman, over the past ten years his focus has shifted towards three-dimensional work in bronze, wood and other materials suitable for a powerful rendering of his themes. Since two years he also explores film and a more multidisciplinary approach. In 2005 his work Agnus Dei was exhibited in the Singer Museum, Laren, The Netherlands. This caused some commotion due to the confronting character of the work. This made him glad. He says: ‘I like to put dead and dried out images on edge again.’ www.kunstdeevee.nl