04 june 2024, Flor Linckens
Thijs Zweers: digital worlds in charcoal, neon and plexiglass
Until 29 June, TORCH Gallery in Amsterdam is hosting a solo exhibition by Thijs Zweers, marking his fifth solo show at the gallery. Zweers is renowned for his unique translation of digital images into detailed charcoal drawings, which he subsequently combines with unmistakably contemporary materials.
These landscapes originate from video games or other digital interpretations of nature, and in the artist's hands, they transform into something that is intently slow, anachronistic and analog. In an interview with Fonds Kwadraat, Zweers stated, "I create the drawings using screenshots from virtual worlds that I usually create myself, but sometimes come across online. To me, these virtual paradise-like images illustrate the fleeting nature of the internet and they present a utopian world to hide in." These environments are uniquely tailored to the user's needs, yet they still feel natural.
Zweers' practice focuses on the relationship between the physical and digital worlds, exploring how technology influences our perception and interaction with nature. At the same time, he is interested in artificial, human-made elements and environments. Through his work, Zweers highlights the delicate balance between maintaining our humanity while navigating an ever-accelerating world that we have created, but can hardly influence anymore on an individual level.
