sustainable wall sculptures
Hello and welcome on my website. My name is Antonius Driessens. On this website you will find my contemporary wooden wall sculptures. My works are meant for interior use in private and public spaces, and other spaces open to unique art. All sculptures are unique, hand made and eco friendly. I use no nails, no screws in the wood assembly.
This sustainable way of creating is dear to me but may not be visible from the looks of my art. For me however it gives more strenght to the sculptures, they remain open, honest and natural. The lack of colour is compensated by different types of textures, smooth gradients in the eroded wood. The "Stijl" art panels have more contrast in colour. As often in my works, the contrast and erosion are the main themes. The old crackles, the worn out colours, the different types of surface, the scars... The clair-obscur side of the sculptures can easily be found in the light driftwood and the burnt wood.
exhibitions
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In the idyllic mountain village Ceillac I will exhibit from 17th july to 24th of august in the old church, just outside the center of this village. A remarqueble place with breathtaking settings. You can see older and new wall panels. Opened from 17-19 h.
- A single wall panel will be exhibited near the famous Mon St Victoire near aix-en-Provence. From 12 to 20 september during the "Salon de Sainte-Victoire".
- From 26 to 29 november I will participate at MacParis, a famous art show in Paris. About 120 emerging artists will have their stands in the Espace Champerret. I will of course be on my stand during these days. Please contact me for your personal and free invitation.
art and wood interests
Derived from the early artistic movement called the Stijl I have a collection of wooden wall panels that refer to the known works of Mondrian and van Doesburg. Please read more about these as they are more than just modern "remakes".
The last collection transforms the old timber into trompe l'oeil artworks that suggest volume. These frames are flat but suggest 3D space. The old recycled wood has been brought back to life in a constructional context, the same way as when it was used for the first time. I found out I am not the only one taking this direction and when I moved to the region of the Cevennes, close to Nîmes, I also integrate the local material called denim, aka bleu jeans. After being used and worn this tissue shows the same kind of erosion as wood.
recent activities
Exhibition in the Exit Art Contemporain gallery
Earlier this year I was asked to join a group exhibition in Exit Art Contemporain in Boulogne-Billancourt, next to Paris. Artists were Gérard Bakner, Antonius Driessens, Olivier Diaz de Zarate and d'Arièle Rozowy.
Here is one of my works "Quadra".
Prize Art Absolument: a good start for a first participation at Réalités Nouvelles 2017
My wall panel got chosen by the art magazin Art Absolument during the well known Réalités Nouvelles art exhibition in Paris, existing since 1946.
This event has been founded by Sonia Delaunay, Auguste Herbin, Jean Arp… Then taken over by art critics and art lovers with a single choice for abstract art. Artists like Jean Dewasne, Victor Vasarely, Pierre Soulages, Georges Mathieu, Vieira da Silva, or Robert Motherwell....
During the opening I was surprised to see a note saying a won a prize for my work "Cube décalé" given by "Art Absolument".
Here is a part of the article in their magazin!
LaGaleru, installation in situ at Fontenay-sous-Bois
Just before the renovation of this particular place, the cultural event organizer asked me to do a installation based on the concept of Reflection. The LaGaleru, has been transformed in something that holds the middle between a window and a mirror. But what is inside is what you see inside so it is a confusing view for people walking by.
Made with local material this window has become a place for meditation and think about what we see, as a conceptual mirror.
Sustainable wooden panel art, based on Stijl artwork
Looking at the planks that are stocked in my working place, I noticed both geometric and organic forms. The colors were all grey or desaturated. I then thought of the similatities between the abstract works of Mondrian and van Doesburg. To make a link with my way of working and presenting my treatment, I thought about creating a small collection of "De Stijl"-like wall panels in wood. It is the contrast between neo-plasticisme and abstractism on one hand and the soulful character of old wood.
Looking closer at the
paintings there are interisting similarities. First of all Mondrian's and van Doesburg's works are paintings and this material has its own traces. The brushstrokes can be seen and can be compared to the wooden nerves in the wood. The old paint has now crackled and this looks like the burnt wood that shows the same texture.
This structure, this presence of soul, associated with the pure harmony of the composition delivers this unique collection.
Jury prize attributed to wooden sculpture "Fragile" by Antonius Driessens
Antonius Driessens has won the jury price during the Arts en Fete competition. The professional jury has chosen the wooden sculpture "fragile" which will be exposed by the city of Chateauneuf les Martigues. Participating for the first time, and driven by the theme "Contrasts", the wooden sculptures always show a distinct contrast between the light colors of the driftwood and the dark colors of the burned wood. Also contrast in texture, in scale, in surface and others can be seen. The jury was pleased to discover this detail and originality amongst the participants. As the rules stipulate, Antonius Driessens will be part of the jury for the competition in 2013.
Antonius Driessens at Project'Isle, l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
We had some nice surprises and many good contacts during the International Foire in our space Project'Isle. Antonius Driessens was there amongst the other 18 contemporary artists. Tuesday night was a special night that welcomed many visitors in a casual atmosphere. Lots of compliments and heartwarming comments came over us during these five days in the center of the french Provence. We hope that everybody who has taken a flyer will contact us and continue our common passion for beauty, simplicity, originality and environmental consciousness. Thank you again for the encouraging words.
A selection of Antonius Driessens' sculptures is exhibited at the Foire Internationale at Isle sure la Sorgue in the french Provence. The charming village is known for its artistic values and count numerous art galleries. You can find the contemporary art in Parc Gautier, from 11 to 15 august. Project'Isle showcases the work of about 30 artists that will be present on their stands. You will find Antonius Driessens on stand A13.
The wooden wall sculptures are created with eco-friendly intentions: no screws or nails are used. Most sculptures feature clair-obscur as main theme, made of light colored wood and burned wood. Another difference is made between the more rectangular forms and organic forms, both subject to natural erosion.