13 march 2024, Yves Joris
Searching for the greatest common denominator
I love expos that pose a cerebral challenge, exhibitions where you only realise afterwards that there are more similarities than you initially suspected. This feeling overwhelmed me after visiting the expo Common Grounds in NQ Gallery, in which Marieke Bolhuis and Per Adolfsen engage in dialogue with each other and with visitors.
Humans and the landscape have always been central themes in the art world, a source of inspiration for artists throughout the ages. Both evoke feelings of wonder, connection and reflection on our relationship to the natural world. In this personal reflection, we look at the work of two contemporary artists, Marieke Bolhuis and Per Adolfsen, and their approach to this subject matter.
Marieke Bolhuis, I am not a rock, 2023, NQ Gallery. Photo: Kimberley Dhollander
The necessity of a metamorphosis
For Marieke Bolhuis, the emphasis clearly lies on the human form and its transformation. This metamorphosis invites viewers to look at themselves, to see themselves as part of the natural world. Her sculptures are dynamic and constantly changing, yet remain connected, like a large family constantly reinventing itself.
This emphasis on change and connectedness reflects a contemporary quest for our place in a world that is constantly in motion. Bolhuis' work raises questions about identity, humanity and our relationship to nature. Through her own interpretation of the human form, she brings into question how we see ourselves in relation to our surroundings. Her figures seem to evolve and transform, much like nature itself. This approach invites deep reflection on our place in the world and the role we play in the earth's ecosystem.
Marieke Bolhuis, Idol S., 2022, NQ Gallery. Photo: Kimberley Dhollander
Bolhuis' work is both contemplative and playful. I can imagine many people feeling tempted to touch the sculptures and masks. I found myself lightly caressing a sculpture, bending myself into an unusual viewing position to look at a particular mask and even taking pictures with myself reflected in the artwork. By using mirror aluminium in certain works, you become part of the oeuvre as the viewer. Every movement creates a new artwork. This is a deliberate choice by the artist, who consciously documents the process of change in her work.
Per Adolfsen, Pencil sketch #1, 2021, NQ Gallery. Photo: Kimberley Dhollander
Observation of the landscape
The difference with the work of Per Adolfsen couldn't be greater. The expressive – almost vitalistic – art explosion of Bolhuis sharply contrasts with the restrained sketches of this Danish artist, who approaches the landscape from a more traditional perspective. He focuses on the landscape itself, adding his own layers to careful observations. His pencil sketches, which he began creating just before the COVID-19 pandemic, promise a detailed insight into his world, with the landscape as the central focus.
Adolfsen's work is infused with a deep respect for the natural world and a desire to understand and capture it. His pencil sketches show meticulous attention to detail and a sense of wonder at the beauty of the landscape. Through his work, Adolfsen invites viewers to look at the world around them with fresh eyes and to see the beauty in the simple, everyday details of the landscape.
Marieke Bolhuis, Mijn lief, my love & Standingpoint You are here, 2024, NQ Gallery. Photo: Kimberley Dhollander
Different approaches, same beauty
Although Bolhuis and Adolfsen have different artistic approaches, they share a common goal, a common ground: exploring our relationship to the natural world and fostering a sense of connection and wonder. Their work invites deep reflection on the significance of the landscape in our lives and reminds us that we are part of a greater whole.
Per Adolfsen, Pencil sketch #2, 2021, NQ Gallery. Photo: Kimberley Dhollander
In a time when the human impact on the environment is becoming increasingly clear, the work of Bolhuis and Adolfsen is all the more relevant. It reminds us that we are not separate from nature, but an integral part of it. Their work invites us to reconsider our relationship with nature and develop a deeper understanding of our place in the earth's ecosystem.
The work of Bolhuis and Adolfsen also provides an antidote to the often hectic and stressful world in which we live. By inviting us to contemplate the beauty and simplicity of the landscape, they encourage us to find moments of peace and contemplation amidst the chaos of modern life.
More than the sum of its underlying parts
The exhibition Common Grounds is more than just a collection of artworks. It is an invitation to contemplate our place in the world, our relationship with nature and how we can improve that relationship. It is a call to action, a call to awareness and a call to change. And perhaps that is the greatest power of art: the ability to show us what is possible, to inspire us to do better and to help us see the world as it might be.
Marieke Bolhuis, Birds and Sticky flies, 2024, NQ Gallery. Photo: Kimberley Dhollander
