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 5 years with the
specialization in sculpture. Since that time Rob den Boer developed his
own artistic practice including mainly graphical work and drawings in
charcoal. His first (group) exhibition was organized in Amsterdam.
Later many more expositions followed both in the Netherlands and
abroad.
Since that time I
got especially interested in the ‘secrets’ of abstract art. The more I
got to know about it, especially when I began drawing and painting by
myself, the clearer it became to me that it did not have much to do
with secrets, but rather with dealing with the visual means in the art
which exists on its own. The abstract art provided me with the
'instruments' with which I could 'build'. Gradually I found my own
style. I am very much
interested in images which I perceive and observe in the real world in
various forms and shapes and which are therefore timeless in a way. I
mean the 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 abstract work can originate from virtually anything. Most often
I start with what I am busy with at a certain moment. The images which
come up at that moment serve as a starting point. When I start working,
the lines arise from the previous lines. The image (the source of
inspiration) which I started with floats during the creative process
somewhere in my subconscious. 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 the distance towards the source I create for
myself a maximum possibility to allow new forms. The final image shows
me as a creator new points of view on the source, 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
directed at presenting my ideas. These ideas are also abstract and they
concern the form, the 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 this relationship.