Harmen van der Tuin, Wall Relief, Netherlands, 2026, Polystyrene and Wood

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Amazing large wall relief by Harmen van der Tuin, made in his own atelier in the Netherlands, 2026. This imposing … Read more Amazing large wall relief by Harmen van der Tuin, made in his own atelier in the Netherlands, 2026. This imposing wall relief from the ‘Formatera’ series, embodies Harmen van der Tuin’s ongoing exploration of material, perception, and inner experience. Executed on a foundation of polystyrene and wood, the work is built up with plaster strengthened by hardener and resin, resulting in a surface that feels both grounded and monumental. The final layer, a matte pigmented crayon, lends the relief an earthy, almost elemental depth. Its dark tonality absorbs and reflects light subtly, creating a surface that appears to shift with changing conditions, much like a natural landscape. Van der Tuin employs a distinctive painting technique that deliberately blurs the boundary between painting and sculpture. The generously applied, thick brushstrokes are tactile and rhythmic, inviting prolonged contemplation. At close range, the surface reveals a velvety texture that feels organic and alive, as if shaped by time rather than by hand alone. This physical presence allows the work to transcend representation. Rather than depicting something else, it exists fully as an autonomous entity, carrying its own intrinsic value. Within art historical context, this approach aligns van der Tuin with the tradition of ZERO artists such as Robert Ryman, Johannes Schoonhoven, Bram Bogart and Yves Klein. Like them, he explores reduction, materiality, and surface, while simultaneously allowing a lively and expressive energy to emerge. At times the work feels minimalist and meditative, while at other moments it pulses with movement and intensity. This dynamic tension mirrors van der Tuin’s creative process, which he often compares to the changing seasons in nature. The artist’s biography deeply informs this work. Raised in Groningen and later moving to Zwolle, van der Tuin was immersed early in music and the arts, beginning classical guitar at the age of nine. After graduating from the art academy ARTEZ, his path as an artist was profoundly altered by a spiritual awakening experienced during deep meditation. This inner transformation continues to resonate throughout his practice, which now spans art, design, and composition. His work is driven by a desire to fill empty spaces, both physical and existential, and to reveal beauty in simplicity, imperfection, and change. This unique wall relief is hand signed and dated on the back, underscoring its singular character and quiet authority. See less