Page 180 - VOL 8
P. 180
Theo Overgaauw
Theo Overgaauw is a contemporary artist whose works appear in private collections national and international.
Born in The Hague, the Netherlands, he studied at the Vrije Academie, the Hague and was invited to attend a
week-long workshop given by Jörg Immendorff at the Rijksademie in Amsterdam. Today Theo lives and works in
Sellingen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
‘’My artistic practice is one of constant evolution and experimentation, shifting between ideas and techniques as I seek to
keep the process fresh and challenging. Beginning with figurative art during my early days at the academy, I embarked on
a transformative trajectory that includes periods of abstraction and a return to figurative painting. These shifts occur
deliberately and gradually, rekindling the artistic challenge and infusing fresh vitality into my creations. Personal life
experiences, including profound moments like the loss of a loved one or a transition from a vibrant urban environment to a
tranquil countryside, have been instrumental in shaping these transformative shifts. My artistic style oscillates between the
realms of abstraction and figuration, with alternating phases where one style takes precedence over the other. Working
primarily with acrylics and oil paints on linen, I embark on each piece with a blank canvas and minimal premeditation. This
approach empowers me to paint with a sense of unrestrained freedom, sidestepping the potential constraints of
meticulous preliminary studies. Such studies, while useful for some, could potentially stifle my genuine joy of painting and
the innate vitality that emerges within the artwork itself.’’
180 All is well that ends swell 2 - Mixed media, 120x95cm, 2024

