Seven lines stamped with paint over and over again (up to 20 layers) on a matte white surface. In search for a perfect colour, a translucent deep teal. (canvas on a 5 cm thick panel)
The reason I am participating in the competition with this painting is that it marks a direction I have taken in my painting. A development that originated from drawings in ink on paper. This way of working with paint gives me the freedom and challenges that I also experience in my drawings. As with my drawings in ink, it is not about achieving a figurative end goal, but about searching for possibilities within a defined set of rules. So the predetermined materials, sizes, execution (stamps) and the pigments used largely determine the physical work. From an apparently simple design I build up a painting, a 'construction', in which the repetition of stamping (up to 20 layers or more) with transparent paint creates a layered texture and deep color build-up.
Maurice van Venrooij is a contemporary artist who explores the behavior of shapes within a pre-defined set of rules. He works meticulous with ink on paper or more robust in paintings and large scale murals. The fixed set of parameters allows Maurice to explore the creative possibilities within, which results in larger series of drawings and paintings.
“Because my artwork is non-figurative, I suppose most people will then classify it as geometric abstract, conceptual or even minimalistic. I mostly see my work as living art systems built with geometric shapes or elements; a fluid pattern that I'm able to capture in a specific moment in time. My study as an architect at the University of Eindhoven has provided me with the fundamentals. Architectonical principles of line, dot, square, grid and zoning are still a mayor influence in my work today.“
