Eef de Graaf and André van Lier - Light & Shadow

André van Lier

For André van Lier, form, and in particular geometric form, is the starting point of his work. This is concrete art that does not refer to any form of reality. Mathematical shapes such as triangle, square, rectangle, circle and ellipse play an important role. His current work revolves around the ellipse: across the long axis of the ellipse and perpendicular to it, he draws four lines, dividing the ellipse into three equal parts.

In his work, Van Lier mainly uses non-colour black and white and subtle mixed colours to add tension to his artworks. His unique folding line system creates a fascinating play of light and shadow when the ellipses are hung on the wall.

Van Lier moves in the tradition of the Bauhaus (1920-1933), where the boundaries between art, craft and architecture were broken down. Besides his artworks, he also designs furniture and is involved in architectural projects through his DAVL studio in The Hague. His geometric principles are reflected in all his disciplines.

Eef de Graaf

Eef de Graaf has been making concrete art since the 1980s, after first making figurative relief panels for a decade. Educated at the Academie voor Beeldende Vorming in Amersfoort, his work is rooted in constructivism, an art form that has its origins in the Russian Revolution of the early 20th century.

In his work, De Graaf depicts that which is not visible but conceivable - they are not abstractions of the observable world, but constructions of the conceivable that arise processually in the brain. Using the basic shapes from geometry, he creates his monochrome relief prints, wall reliefs and free-standing objects, in which composition, dimension, harmony and rhythm play a major role, similar to music.

Art critic Wim van der Beek describes his work as one in which geometric laws are broken without disturbing balance and equilibrium. De Graaf guarantees the visual tension needed to keep his work vital. Arranging, combining and varying, he arrives at new and surprising solutions, enriching the constructivist tradition with original and contemporary variations.

This exhibition brings together two artists who, each in their own way, show how geometric forms can be manipulated to create new and surprising perspectives. Their work invites contemplation on form, space and the timeless beauty of geometry.