Interview
Wim van de Wege
Wim van de Wege, born in 1966, is a professional contemporary and passionate Dutch artist who becomes enchanted by vast, sometimes desolate landscapes. These landscapes serve as symbolic representations of freedom and desire. His artworks embrace the beauty of pristine horizons and open spaces, resonating deeply with the viewers. His fluid brushstrokes and color palettes evoke feelings of spatial liberation and invite introspection. His entire life is dedicated to art. After his studies at the Conservatory (organ and piano), he pursued degrees in Dutch and literature and subsequently earned his diploma in the arts from the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. According to him, music, literature, and visual art are inextricably intertwined. Painting is nothing more than expressing in paint what you see and, above all, what you experience. Each artwork is a synthesis of this. In the midst of nature, preferably without human presence, he experiences a freedom that is not found elsewhere while painting.
His interpretation of the landscape is purpose-driven, not merely a reproduction of it. Every artist translates what they see and feel into their artwork. For him, that is the essence of art. He enjoys working swiftly, which is evident in all of his work. While sketching, he paints, and for him, structure and layering are just as important as other aspects of his art. His paintings are built up in many layers of paint, sometimes dozens, which creates movement and vibrancy. This means that even after years, viewers can still discover new elements. The suggestive element in his work is a valuable characteristic. In recent years, he has enjoyed working with mixed media because it allows him to explore new dimensions in his artistic expression. Combining various materials and techniques, he can achieve a rich tapestry of textures, colors, and forms in his work. This creative approach has opened up exciting possibilities for him, enabling him to push the boundaries of his art and further captivate his audience. The interplay of different mediums in his art has added an intriguing layer to his already multifaceted exploration of landscapes and emotions. His commitment to the fusion of art forms remains at the forefront of his artistic journey. It appears that the artist strives to convey a message of hope and the need for the soul to roam freely. Van de Wege's fascination with these symbolic landscapes reflects his own quest for freedom, and he succeeds in capturing and sharing this universal longing with the public through his expressive artworks.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am a visual artist in the Netherlands. From an early age, I grew up with visual arts and music. After high school, I studied organ and piano at the Brabant Conservatory in Tilburg, pursued Dutch and literature studies in Rotterdam, and then furthered my education in Fine Arts at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. It's fantastic to be involved in both music, literature, and visual arts, and I consider them all under the umbrella of art. I am a full-time professional artist and can be found almost daily in my art studio in Bunschoten-Spakenburg or somewhere in the midst of nature. It is the most beautiful job there is.”
What inspires you?
“I can lose myself completely in beautiful landscapes. When I am working on the beach with the beautiful cloudy skies, or in the middle of a nature reserve among the flowering plants and shrubs, I am in another world. In the middle of nature, preferably without human presence, I experience the freedom that cannot be found elsewhere while painting. My interpretation of the landscape is purposeful, not merely a reproduction of it. Each artist translates what he/she sees and composes it into his artwork. For me, that is the essence of art. I think the many dozens of Dutch and European seascapes and landscapes paintings, drawings, and sketches show that. In the landscape, I experience freedom, peace, and something greater than wealth and materialism. From time to time, I make a trip to a city to make urban sketches with pen and watercolor. Sketches remain perhaps the most beautiful; spontaneity appeals to me enormously. I often find the sketches of the masters better than their final works.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Important themes are freedom and peace in this crazy world where everything is about more, more expensive, and better. My works articulate this tension and make the viewer look at the landscape differently. I hope they experience that enjoying nature is of a totally different dimension, gives much more peace than the hasty buying culture. I also portray elderly and demented people who are left to their own devices and on the fringes of society. That touches me. The portraits are therefore an appeal to give this group of people attention and love. An artist can touch people's hearts with his work, better than anyone else.”
“I can lose myself completely in beautiful landscapes.”
How would you describe your work?
“Because emotion and my intuition play a big role in my work, it does not fit within any particular style. Sometimes it leans more towards impressionism; then it becomes more expressionistic with an abstract touch. However, everything is always painted smoothly in thin layers of paint. This layering provides depth. I work with watercolor, acrylic, oil, and oil pastels and dare to combine them as well. Everything serves the idea born in the artist's head. My artistic endeavors seamlessly blend figuration and abstraction, transforming nature into a vibrant interplay of color, texture, and form. The transparency within the myriad layers of paint engenders a spontaneous and dynamic tableau, inviting the viewer to infuse their own emotions and details into the landscape. I seek to capture the primal essence of the natural environment. The artwork emerges from the creative tension between the inherent demands of the paint and my exploratory instincts, guided by the emotions and intuition of the moment.”
Which artists influence you most?
“As for influences on my work, I have always had a deep admiration for the impressionists, especially Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet. Their ability to capture emotion in color and light has always inspired me. Additionally, I draw a lot of inspiration from contemporary artists such as Gerhard Richter and Anselm Kiefer, due to their experimental approaches and the blending of different artistic styles.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process is a dynamic journey. It often begins with observation and reflection of my surroundings, whether it is nature, urban landscapes or even human emotions. I usually try to capture those observations in sketches. Then, I experiment with different techniques, such as using color palettes and textures, to convey the desired emotion in my work. It is a process of trial and error where I give myself the freedom to experiment and discover new things.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“In my opinion, an artist has the responsibility to confront, inspire, and question society. Art is a powerful means of conveying emotions and ideas that are otherwise challenging to put into words. In the evolution of society, I see artists playing an increasingly important role in stimulating dialogue and promoting empathy. Art can serve as a mirror that forces us to reflect on who we are and where we are going.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I prefer working with galleries that offer something to the visitor and can professionally discuss art, captivating the viewer. An example is Gallery O Riel in Newport Pembs (Wales, UK), and Gallery Philadelphia on Ameland (Netherlands), where art comes to life with love and passion. Additionally, I regularly participate in art fairs, such as EuropArtFair in the WesterGasFabriek in Amsterdam, where I met a German lady who became emotional when she saw a seascape. The artwork stirred so much in her that she shared her life story there. Art is not just a pretty picture; it interprets life in all its facets. That is truly amazing!”
