ArtWay

Quality is the first norm for art, but its final norm is love and truth, the enriching of human life, the deepening of our vision.

Artists

Boer, Rob den

Rob den Boer

Rob den Boer was born in 1968 in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Already since early youth he was busy with drawing and writing texts. In 1992 he entered the Arts College (Hogeschool voor de Kunsten) in Utrecht and he graduated from it after five years with the specialization in sculpture. Since that time Rob den Boer created a multifaceted body of work including mainly graphical art and drawings in charcoal. His first (group) exhibition was organized in Amsterdam. Later many more expositions followed both in the Netherlands and abroad.

     
 

 

Introduction to my work
I am very interested in images that I perceive and observe in the real world in various forms and shapes and which in a way are timeless. I mean forms like the circle, the square, the parabola etc. My art expresses the origin of the meaning of these images, because they are inextricably bound up with what they represent.

 

The inspiration to create my abstract works can originate from virtually anything. Most often the image that comes up when I start working serves as a starting point. Then lines arise from previous lines. The image (the source of inspiration) that I started with floats somewhere in my subconscious during the creative process. By trying to release this original image, I try to put most emphasis on creating as strong an image as possible (as an image in itself). My background as a sculptor plays an important role in this case. Only later, when I come to the conclusion that the work has achieved its definite form, I can say more about the meaning of the final image in relation to the image of the source of inspiration. By keeping a distance to the source, I create for myself a maximum possibility to allow new forms. The final image shows me new points of view, which inspire me to create new work. Therefore I often work on a series of images.
 
In general I prefer quick media which allow me to concentrate on exploring my themes. Drawing is therefore my favourite medium. My artistic work is strongly focused on presenting my ideas. These ideas are also abstract and concern form, line and space as autonomous visual elements. The main issue is how they relate to each other. The material is the means to express these ideas and relationships.
 
 
My art’s relation to my faith
Because my faith is a significant part of who I am (as a member of the Dutch Protestant Church), it is visible in all my work. As an artist I am the one who creates and everything in me is influencing the outcome of my work, even though it is non-figurative. My intention for the years to come is to use biblical themes alongside my current inspirational sources and to exhibit these works at venues that relate to these themes and the faith they spring from. I also hope to contribute to the development of a 'mature' Christian inspired art led by quality and authenticity.
 
Three works about Jonah (2015): 
 

 

Two works from 2016:


Four works from 2017:

 

Two works from 2018:


Website: 

http://www.robdenboer.nl

 

The images:

1. Rob den Boer, Horizontal, 2007, oil pastel drawing, 65 x 50 cm.

2. Rob den Boer, Horizontal, 2007, oil pastel drawing, 60 x 40 cm.

3. Rob den Boer, Traces 3, 2009, oil pastel drawing, 60 x 40 cm.

4. Rob den Boer, Raptor, 2014, oil pastel drawing, 60 x 40 cm.

5. Rob den Boer, Flying, 2014, oil pastel drawing, 60 x 40 cm.

6. Rob den Boer, Riverscape, 2015, oil pastel on paper, 40 x 52 cm.

7. Rob den Boer, Riverscape, 2015, oil pastel on paper, 40 x 60 cm.

8. Rob den Boer, Jonah and the Fish, 2015, oil pastel drawing on paper, 60 x 40 cm.

9. Rob den Boer, Jonah and the Fish, 2015, oil pastel drawing on paper, 60 x 40 cm.

10. Rob den Boer, Jonah and the Fish, 2015, oil pastel drawing on paper, 60 x 40 cm.

11. Rob den Boer, Dreamriver, 2016, oil pastel on paper, 60 x 40 cm.

12. Rob den Boer, Dreamriver, 2016, oil pastel on paper, 52 x 40 cm.

13. Rob den Boer, Diversion (Supper at Emmaus), 2017, oil pastel on paper, 60 x 40 cm.

14. Rob den Boer, Diversion (Supper at Emmaus), 2017, oil pastel on paper, 60 x 40 cm.

15. Rob den Boer, Diversion (Supper at Emmaus), 2017, oil pastel on paper, 52 x 40 cm.

16. Rob den Boer, Diversion (Supper at Emmaus), 2017, oil pastel on paper, 50 x 50 cm.

17. Rob den Boer, The Garden of Love, 2018, oil pastel on paper, 60 x 40 cm.

18. Rob den Boer, The Garden of Love, 2018, oil pastel on paper, 60 x 40 cm.