De Gaanderij | Dick Buijtelaar - Streetwise
His work focuses on the invisible reality behind the condition humaine. Sunk in thought on a bench or passing the time in a bus shelter: the representation of an honest reality. In Streetwise, the human being is central.
A depiction of man as he is, rich or poor, in every capacity. It makes you think what the priorities are in our existence when you see how people can also be happy with the little they have.
That which touches him outdoors, he captures with my camera, as snapshots, and then works them out in his studio. He does not just draw, but tries to capture the story behind the person, or the atmosphere of a city. The romance, but also the tragedy he encounters there, translates as a matter of course into images on paper or canvas. As if situations force themselves on him to be processed. His paintings often speak for themselves, but he also likes to leave something to the viewer's imagination. He is all about the art of seeing: beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Since studying at the KABK, he has been most fascinated by figurative art. In doing so, he looks for a certain inspiration. However important it is to have a good command of drawing or painting, the emotion comes from somewhere else. In his opinion, this requires the artist's eye, but also touches the imagination of a viewer. How a work is interpreted differs from person to person. That makes art a personal experience and this is a special aspect of his work for him.
His work could be called both figurative and impressionistic. As a child, his hands were already drawing what his eyes saw. He likes to work quickly to keep the originality and liveliness in the artwork. If you go on at something for too long, it loses its power and therefore its soul. Just as street life is what it is: a snapshot of impermanence.
With thanks to Monique Tolk.