The work of visual artists is created with all kinds of different materials. Traditionally, we are constantly discovering new materials and existing materials are given new applications. As innovative as man is in his search for possibilities, artists too are busy expressing themselves in new ways. Their intentions can be largely 'read' on the surface of the created works.
The 'Tactilis' exhibition shows several artists who each found a special expression based on their own references. Whatever material they use, the accompanying stories are just as relevant. Their experiences come from different cultures and disciplines. The materials are sometimes chosen from the practical consideration of being the carrier of the work, or because of a certain property such as transparency, or also because of the possibilities of mixing materials into new components.
Geertje van de Kamp (NL, 1986) plays with two- and three-dimensional spatiality. She immersed herself in Japanese origami - geometric repetitions of folded paper - and explored the possibilities of making work out of this. Her artworks are executed in two layers of acrylic glass, placed at some distance from each other, which also produces a dynamic shadow effect. She paints that in-between space with acrylic paint in -sometimes meaningful- shape and colour variations.
With Mattia Papp (IT, 1993) we see an expressive way of working in the robustness with which the layered material is incorporated into the skin. Here, conventional materials such as cement and lime, together with modern materials such as epoxy resin and EPS foam, take on a new meaning. A physical intervention with, for example, hammer or fire also yields intriguing results. Trained in the classical painting of Florence with figurative representations, he processes these materials with the same techniques into mere abstractions.
In the sleek-looking and light-hearted work of Wouter Eelkman Rooda (NL, 1985) we see how material can change its meaning. He investigates the unlimited possibilities of expression with elastic sports tape. The versatility of the material leaves a lot of room for chance. To curb an unpredictable outcome, he also uses paint and found objects to realize certain patterns.
In this exhibition with three artists, the appearance of their artworks is mainly determined by the choice of material. Also, the texture of the surface seems to tempt you to touch and feel it. The tactility of the material is, as it were, the common thread of this exhibition.