ABOUT MY WORK

Many of my paintings and watercolors are inspired by nature, often found in far away places, preferably in locations where the pristine nature not yet is affected by cultural control. I am engaged by the genesis and growth in nature. Often my paintings are created from a non-structured chaos of paint stains, which I searching try to organize to an associative (reminder) image. Special to the silence and emptiness of deserted landscapes I feel attracted.

My watercolors are, in contrast to his usually fairly elaborate oil paintings, limited to more volatile impressions, landscapes and figure studies.

The graphic work is fairly anecdotal; particularly the engravings are sometimes symbolic and expressionistic tinged.

Through the years my style varies from abstract to figurative and decorative spatially, but probably recognizable as a personal style, but not so easy to be hosted by the established style categories. There's always been a certain abstraction to emphasize the essence.

ABOUT ME

PERSONAL DATA

Name: Sybren de Graaff

Birth: 1934, Rotterdam

Address: Art Studio GRAVURE, Lekbandijk 31, 4119 RA Ravenswaay (Gld.) Holland

Phone. 00 31 345 55 87 15

E-mail: sybrendegraaff@wxs.nl

Internet: www.welcome.to/sybren

EDUCATION

- RIJKS H.B.S.-B, Middelharnis, art teacher: Jaap Ploos van Amstel.

- KONINKLIJKE ACADEMIE v.BEELDENDE KUNSTEN, The Hague,

(teachers a.o.Paul Citroen,Willem J.Rozendaal, Dirk van Gelder.)

- ARTIBUS, Utrecht: Portraits and model painting.

- VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT, Amsterdam, philosophy

PROFESSIONALITIES:

1955 - 1965: Freelance graphic designer and illustrator

1959 - 1971: Teacher in arts and art history on resp.

- COLLEGE BLAUCAPEL, Utrecht.

- MARNIX P.A., Utrecht.

- OOSTERLICHT COLLEGE, Utrecht/Nieuwegein.

1971 - 1994: Headmaster OOSTERLICHT COLLEGE.

From 1986: Independent visual artist.

EXHIBITIONS:

2008: De Steeg, Kunstsalon Villa Nova, "Landschappen op ooghoogte", oilpaintings

2007: Buren, Poortgebouw Museum, "Mensen & Mythen", paintings and etchings.

2006: Kunstroute Buren B!zonder, oilpaintings, watercolours, graphic art

2003: Firenze, Biennale Firenze, Italy, December 2003, oilpaintings (tryptich "THE ATTACK")

2002: Paris, Carrousel du Louvre, Salon SNBA 2002, graphic art.

2002: El Paso, TX-USA, Bridgecenter of contemporrary Art, "Encuentras/Encounters", etchings.

2002: Barcelona, Galeria d'Art Zero, "Entre los sentidos", etchings.

2002: Juárez, Mexico, Galery Gino d'Artili, duo-, graphic work

2001: Saint Maur, Ateliers d'Art, Salon 2001, group-, graphic work..

2001: Paris, Carrousel du Louvre, Salon de la Société Nationale des Beaux Arts 2001, group-,etchings.

2001: Draveil, Château de Villiers, Salon du CHENE d' ANTIN de L 'Association des Arts Plastiques, etchings

2000: Varennes, Galeries des Arts de Ville de St. Maur, group-, graphic work.

1999: Amsterdam, Galerie Rijbroeck, solo-, oil paintings.

1999: Amsterdam, World Trade Centre, paintings.

1999: Nantes, Ecopole, group-, paintings and prints.

1998: Zeist, Slot Zeist, group-, water-colours and etchings.

1998: Geldermalsen, Galerie 'Opus 5', solo-, oil paintings

1998: Saint Nazaire and Blois, group-, water-colours, etchings and drawings

1997: Zaltbommel, Galerie 1632, solo-, paintings and water-colours.

1997: Nantes, Salle des Petits Murs, group-, water-colours and prints.

1996: Poitiers and Orléans, group-, water-colours and drawings.

1994: Bois Joubert, Maison de la Nature, group-, water-colours.

1993: Wijk bij Duurstede, Galerie Greet van Vulpen, oil paintings.

PRICES:

- PRIX BRACQUEMOND du Salon SNBA 2001 ( "Diplôme d'Honneur" pour l'oeuvre graphique ).

PUBLICATIONS

- L'OISEAU Magazine no. 41: Dossier 'ART ET NATURE'

- THAT THE LOIRE MAY LIVE, edit. Gallimard, Paris 1996.

- PULCHRI, edit. Pulchri Studio, Den Haag, - 'Plaatsen van Verlatenheid'- Jrg.25, nr..30997.

- DE TELEGRAAF - 'Kunst voor Natuur' edit. 08.02.97.

- WWF- PANDA Magazine - 'Les peintres pour la Loire', edit. Nr.71.

- DE GELDERLANDER -' Hoogtepunten in Opus 5', edit. 27.05.98.

- NOUVELLES DE L'ESTAMPE (Bibliothèque Nationale): 'Gravures Passion", dec. 2000.

- BIENNALE INTERNAZIONALE DELL 'ARTE CONTEMPORANEA 2003

- DE GELDERLANDER - 'Kunst kan beginnen bij een gewone vlek', edit.08.06.06.