Interview Jan Kuhlemeier
In his work, Jan tries to grasp the physical geographical qualities of the elements. Swell lines hitting sandbanks, the wind that tries to find a grip on the water surface.. Natural energies, motions, and colours of his own personal experiences of landscapes are turned into a visual image or object. The colortones he experiences in landscapes are elusive illusions that arise through the play of light and reflection on surfaces. To grasp the elusive into something tangible like pigment or paint, Jan does extensive research into the different qualities of pigments and materials. He currently uses gel mediums as a base combining different pigments, sometimes transparent, sometimes opaque, ultimately influencing the underlying and parent layers. Furthermore, applying the material onto the surface in one movement creates a specific friction between the material and the canvas. Jan explores how different surfaces can contribute to the way material reacts to these movements leading to endless new findings during the process. The results are unique works in which translucent layers of colour are used to search for specific hues and colour nuances. Different layers form a dialogue with each other creating a strong composition characterised by depth and reflection.
(Represented by Root Gallery)