What shapes our experience of space? Is it form, material, light, or perhaps our own perception? In Inner Workings, the practices of Michiel Kluiters and André Kruysen come together in a shared exploration of how space is constructed and experienced. Through an investigative and highly crafted approach, both artists create works that are not merely observed but truly experienced. What appears on the surface originates from a carefully constructed inner framework of material, light and imagination.
In his sculptures, André Kruysen investigates the interplay between light, material and architectural form. Working with resin casts derived from everyday objects, he assembles sculptural compositions in which colour is almost entirely absent. This deliberate restraint directs attention to the spatial relationships within the work. The surface and texture of his sculptures capture and reflect light, making space itself almost tangible.
Michiel Kluiters constructs improvised maquettes which he subsequently photographs, creating compelling images that exist at the intersection of sculpture, photography and painting. In his recent work, colour has taken on a more prominent role, while refined textures and the material qualities of his chosen media remain essential. The resulting constructed worlds continuously blur the boundary between reality and imagination. Kluiters creates contemplative images that emerge from his inner world. Memory, imagination and perception are inseparably intertwined. His images invite a slow and attentive way of looking, in which materiality, perception and illusion constantly influence one another.
Although their work manifests itself through different media, both artists share the same fascination: space is not a fixed given, but a construction shaped by material, light and the viewer's perception. Beneath the seemingly self-evident images lies a meticulous process of making, researching and refining. While Kruysen gives physical form to space through sculpture, Kluiters creates mental spaces that, through photography, evoke a remarkable sense of spatiality. Together, they reveal that space is not merely defined by walls or forms, but ultimately comes into being through the act of perception.
André Kruysen received the prestigious Ouborg Award in 2011. Earlier, he completed a residency at the Rijksakademie (1996–1997), during the same period that Michiel Kluiters studied at De Ateliers. The work of both artists is represented in museum and private collections and has been exhibited nationally and internationally.
The Breakfast Club
Prior to the exhibition opening, Galerie Wilms presents The Breakfast Club on Sunday 6 September, from 10.30 am to 12.00 pm. During an extensive breakfast, participants will be among the first to experience Inner Workings in an intimate setting. There will be ample opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their work. Participation is €19.50 per person. When purchasing an artwork from the exhibition, this amount will be deducted from the purchase price. Reservations are required, as the number of places is limited.