Through his work, Erik de Bree shows how chance and coincidence might impact art. Fascinated by what he calls “random found shapes”, he creates works that stand between figuration and abstraction. This exhibition, entitled THE INTUITIVE ALPHABET, showcases the latest works from the Rearrangement series, the artist’s current project, which he describes as more delicate than his previous work.
This series is based on the model of a jigsaw puzzle, in which the artist removes the individual pieces from their original form and shapes them in his works using their contours, which ultimately recall only a vague reference to their original content. In the subsequent creative process, these empty spaces are filled with various materials and refined using different techniques, whereby the final result is often unpredictable. The working process is laborious and involves many small steps; only then can the full effect of the work be realized.
The effect of the individual images changes with the different materials and textures. Consequently, not only is a certain tactile quality of the images evoked, but their impact within the space is also intensified.
De Bree's fascination with form and space in relation to material and the use of color is evident in his ongoing process of transforming his ideas into new work. There is a clear connection between projects, as he continues his playful research with each new series. The artist describes the works as being characterized by "different flavours."