Harmen Brethouwer
Harmen Brethouwer is a Dutch born in Aalten in 1960. He is an established contemporary artist, best known for his sophisticated conceptualism. His repertoire of 30 years predominantly focuses on two art forms: conical sculpture and square wall-mounted panels. Through these minimalistic art forms, Brethouwer explores the cultural contexts of the craft techniques he incorporates. Primarily influenced by the cultural milieu of the 1970s, the artist adopts a radical conceptual stance in his art language. He adopts traditional craft techniques such as silver filigree threading, faux marble painting, ancient Japanese lacquering, and silk embroidery. Yet, the use of traditional techniques is not nostalgic, it is innovative. While most craftsmen manipulate materials to appear as something they are not, no matter the craft technique, Brethouwer’s square panels remain square panels. This way, the artist explores the line between figuration and abstraction, material simulation, and artistic expression. His works have been exhibited in key Dutch collections such as Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Museum Voorlinden, Rabo Art Collection, and AkzoNobel Art Foundation.
