Ab Knupker (Rotterdam, 1927-2010)
Esquire article by Hugo Borst 13/01/2019: The enigmatic works of art by the Rotterdam painter Ab Knupker are bursting with symbolism. Hugo Borst found puzzling works of art by the Rotterdam painter Ab Knupker. Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen recently bought this time capsule.
In an exhibition entitled "A time capsule", which was only on view for one week in the Frank Taal Galerie in December 2018, 35 gouaches by Knupker that he made in the period from 1966 to 1974 were shown.
Ab Knupker exhibited sporadically, lived a secluded life, and was especially respected by art brothers.
The exhibition A Time Capsule, realized in collaboration with Hugo Borst, led to the purchase of all 35 works by Boijmans Van Beuningen.
"KNUPKER, Albertus Gerardus; b. Rotterdam January 5, 1927. Lived and worked in this city, The Hague, until 1943; since 1943 in Rotterdam. Student of the Academy v.B.K. there.
Quote from an interview with Knupker: "I try to express ideas in my paintings, such as all kinds of peculiar contrasts that you encounter in“ people ”. Faith is a fabrication; according to my reality, there is no God or belief. And then, for example, the silliness of the war. I myself was also arrested in 1944 and deported to Germany. The things I experienced there and of course also what you heard and read afterward, I am still processing. I try to express all those things in my work. "