Robert van de Graaf
Robert van de Graaf (b.1983, 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 (Steven Learner 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 theme-based series of artworks which are exhibited in numerous online and physical exhibitions.
He also enjoyed an intense private painting and drawing training at an early age (1996 - 2001) by the Dutch artist Erica Meyster (1949 - 2006).
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.
Could you tell us more about your background and how you began creating art?
Since I was little I have been drawing and already had a strong desire to create things. It was my English grandmother, Mrs Violet Bessie Stammers (1916 - 2002), who recognised my artistic potential on a more serious level and gave me my first private lessons (1996) in the arts by the Dutch artist Erica Meyster (1949 - 2006). This has led to an intense private painting and drawing training from 1996 to 2001, where I have been able to work in full freedom under supervision of Erica Meyster. This period still remains of great importance to my development as an artist.
It was also my English grandmother who provided my first confrontation with the arts, being an amateur painter herself (and a professional pianist) and a lover of the arts (she was a big fan of Picasso, Chagall and Monet) and I had access to her art books.
After my studies Architecture at the Technical University in Delft I realised I could not work as an architect. Although I enjoyed the designing process, developing a concept or idea and the creative part in general in the field of architecture, I totally missed the freedom and limitless possibilities of creation in painting and drawing. I realised that I have been born as an artist, a painter, and that this would be my path in life. From the moment I decided (with the help of my lovely wife) to switch to the arts (2012) I also decided to dedicate my life to the arts, whatever it takes.
What does your art aim to say to its viewers?
Well, I am quite ambivalent about that, on one hand I like it if the viewer can create their own story about the painting, at the other I also like it when the viewer is feeling and experiencing my intention of the work. I guess it would be ideal if the viewer experiences both worlds.
I wish my art to stimulate an opening towards personal deepening, elicit a reflection of feelings, where the viewer can cross the line from observation to introspection. In my work I like to make the viewer a companion on my journey to seek meaning in life and I hope I can add something small, but valuable to their lives.
Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? What is your daily routine when working?
My daily routine changes a lot through the week, walking in and out the studio (which is very close to my home), it is more like a lifestyle, but I will describe the days I prefer the most, painting days. I arrive at the studio around 09:00, check my email and do some basic administration and work on my first painting session till 12:30, walk my dog Shaffy (dwarf puddle) to the beach around the corner, have lunch while reading an art book (now Joan Mitchell) or read one of the great Judith Benhamou Reports on my laptop. After my lunch I start the second painting session until 18:30. Afterwards I cook for my wife and me and work out a bit, play the piano, read and research, listen to music or I get back to the studio to have another painting session, or I love to go out for dinner as well. But a large amount of my time is also going to computer work, submissions, open calls, social media and so on.
My creation process is quite organic, but structured, I have a idea of a series, do research about the topic, I usually use a stage for a series so I visit the setting, make my photographs and collect materials, making notes while researching with schemes of paintings possibilities popping up in my mind, make little sketches, turn them into drawings and/ or watercolours, and I also write poems during the process and then… painting! Usually I am also thinking about certain painters (from all times of history) in the process and then I research them and use it as a reference or inspiration in my work. I basically create the context of the painting so that I can channel the expressive and emotional brushwork.
What is the essential element in your art?
For me the act of painting is something magical, something spiritual. There are so many elements that can exist in painting. The most important thing for me is that the artworks are speaking to the viewer in this magical silent language of painting, that the work is able to communicate with the viewer and is giving something, like a small personal present only a work of art can give. I also like the freedom, the textures, the emotion and feeling, choosing the colours, the composition, I mean I just like every part of it.
In your opinion, what role does the artist have in society?
I think artist play a very important role in society, because they are able to live in and out of society and have the freedom to choose any topic or form of art whatever they feel that is important to them. Art has so many functions, it can change our perspective, inspire, confront, educate, reflect the time we live in, have been living in or are about to live in. Or it can just add some beauty in our life, which is also great! In my opinion art has the capability to change lives in a positive way and is able to make this world for a little bit a better place to live in.
