In the Footsteps of Two Multilanders: Rob van Doeselaar & Petra de Vree

Petra de Vree and Rob van Doeselaar share a similar life story. Both have lived and worked on different continents, in a variety of countries. Each followed their own path. Those paths crossed about twenty-five years ago, when they were both spending time in Accra at the same time.

For an artist, moving to a different country time and again means constantly having to find new footing in one’s work. In doing so, you continually redefine your own boundaries and learn to relate to other cultures, far removed from your Dutch roots. It is precisely this constant movement and adaptation that have profoundly shaped both their artistic practice and their work.

The distinctive visual language of Petra de Vree’s ceramic work has its roots in the highlands of Bolivia, where she felt an immediate connection to clay as a material. She says: “It is a privilege, as a European artist, to be able to develop your craft in a completely unfamiliar environment. I was introduced to new perspectives, some of which I’ve made my own. After so many special encounters, it was always difficult to leave a country behind. Fortunately, by then my suitcases were filled with new inspiration.” In her recent work, stones serve as the starting point. They refer to cairns—simple piles of stones that mark the way in mountainous terrain. Cairns provide a sense of stability; they are traces left behind by people who were there before.

Rob van Doeselaar creates paintings on linen, paper, and the iPad, focusing on the use of color and vibrancy. In addition, he has continually explored new avenues through a variety of motifs and conceptual diversity. Living in various locations around the world has been important to his development as an artist. Each place added a new story. In his recent work, Rob returns to his roots: the painter’s palette. As he paints on the canvas, a colorful landscape simultaneously emerges on the palette. What fascinates Rob is the moment when the raw paste from a tube suddenly seems to mean much more than just paint.