‘VerteerWezen 3 (reclining black)’ 2017
chair, aluminum modeling mesh, papier maché
ao exhibited in ‘VerteerWezens in BIG ART’ 2019 and in VerteerWezens in Mirrors of Time 2020

‘VerteerWezens’ is an ongoing series of spatial objects in papier-mâché, started in 2017. The title can be roughly translated as ‘digested-beings’. In each work, a rejected object or utensil from either my home or my studio is combined with aluminium modelling mesh, cardboard and/or other materials. This is often covered with a layer of papier maché made from shredded left-over papers, magazines, waste paper. In this way, used materials and older art works are “digested” by turning them into creatures/beings.
By photographing myself behind/with these sculptures, the relation between the affect-rich object and my concrete physical body becomes clear.
The series of VerteerWezens is ongoing, and so are the related photo works.

here on show in the house of Berry Koedam Rotterdam (on loan)
with on the left, a painting by Hans Verweij, right: drawings by Berlinde de Bruyckere

all VerteerWezen works: ‘VerteerWezen 1 (crouching orange)’ 2017 / ‘VerteerWezen 2 (standing blue)’ 2018 / ‘VerteerWezen 3 (reclining black)’ 2017 / ‘VerteerWezen 4 (lying greens)’ 2018 / ‘VerteerWezen 5 (red arms)’ 2018 / ‘VerteerWezen 6 (cowering in suitcase)’ 2020 / ‘VerteerWezen 7 (lilac shredded)’ 2019 / ‘VerteerWezen 8 (red DenkRaum)’ 2019 / ‘VerteerWezen 9 (skins and stones)’ 2019 / ‘VerteerWezen 10 (in yellow arms)’ 2019 / ‘VerteerWezen 11 (protest&berusting)’ 2020 / ‘VerteerWezen 12 (growing teeth)’ 2020 / ‘VerteerWezen 13 (carrying sleigh)’ / ‘VerteerWezen 14 (embrace rejection)’ / ‘VerteerWezen 15 (retrieved arms)’ 2020-2022 / ‘VerteerWezen 16 (white shield) 2021-2022 / ‘VerteerWezen 17 (open up - remade)’ 2003-2021 /

all VerteerWezen photo works: ‘DenkRaum’ 2019 / ‘behind skins and stones’ 2019 / ‘behind red arms’ 2020 / ‘behind shredded lilac’ 2019 / ‘embracing rejection’ 2021 / ‘behind arms’ 2022 / ‘hiding behind whiteness’ 2022 /

other carrier works: ‘blindfold’ 1992 / ‘lascive’ 1993 / ‘revolving in this sheath of (im)possibilities’ 2011 (ceramic)/