Andre Schoots
Netherlands
I paint a familiar feeling to most people – the state of being surprised in either admiration or disbelieve of the changes around us. And the changes in ourselves. In imaginary tableaus I pose a projection screen for reflection. In a colorful way I marry figuration with abstract elements evoking narrative. The key in my visual metaphors is the tension between description and leaving the interpretation to the perception of the viewer. So to speak I invite the beholder into an imaginary realistic scene aiming at triggering thoughts and emotions.
Cranes
1. What’s your background?
My curiosity has driven me to simultaneously become an artist and a scientific researcher. As biologist I have contributed a little to the unraveling of unknown developmental life processes. At the same time I paint to express my amazement and sense of wonder about our development, our constant changing. At present I work as a full-time painter.
2. What does your work aim to say?
Every work I create is a little allegory on the beauty and vulnerability of life. And the way we are part of the constant changes around us and in ourselves. I invite the viewer to reflect. My work aims to trigger contemplation.
3. How does your work comment on current social or political issues?
I visually translate my comments into a tableau that raises questions. At a general level we all know that not everything is what it looks like at a first glance. Life is constantly changing in development. What was first okay may not be acceptable now. I am certainly inspired by current affairs in the news. It triggers a kind of surrealistic visualizations in my mind that I use as a starting point for a painting. I try to inspire the beholder to contemplate. Insights and processes that will guide us to a good life begins with a peaceful state of mind. And, since we are struggling people, we have to do it with forgiveness and love.
4. Who are your biggest influences?
I enjoy trying to find out which stories and feelings artists express in their creations. I am a big fan of realistic paintings of renaissance masters. And also of realists of more recent date like De Chirico, Dali, Magritte, Delvaux, Willink, Moesman and Edward Hopper. They all had a huge impact on my development as a painter. At the same time more abstract works like the geometrical works of Malevich and Mondriaan have been a great inspiration.
Forgiveness
5. How has your art evolved over the years?
Professionally, in research and art, I have always studied to increase my understanding and to discover and improve methods.
I try and use new methods and have attuned my technique more to my goal.
6. What does art mean to you?
Art to me is a way to communicate, to express feelings and to offer beauty. As a scientist I published verifiable new facts and figures. Art has to offer beauty that evokes emotions and allows to contemplate. Using a visual language with classical and new symbols I paint small stories about my experiences of being a human. To express how confounded I am with surprise or wonder. I want to share questions in reflections on life.
7. What’s the most valuable piece of art to you?
There is so much valuable work accomplished. In different fields of art. If I would have to limit to painting, It would be an allegorical masterpiece of the renaissance. I also value the Guernica of Picasso for its narrative power. Or the mystery-and-mood paintings of Edward Hopper. I am attracted to figurative paintings where you can fill in an imaginative story.
8. What’s next for you in the future?
Life keeps changing so there will be plenty of inspiration. Already now I have many ideas to paint and commissions to work for. My work is laborious what confines the number of future works, but I still hope to be able to produce a lot.
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