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

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Amazing large wall relief by Harmen van der Tuin, produced in his own atelier in Zwolle, 2026. This powerful wall … Read more Amazing large wall relief by Harmen van der Tuin, produced in his own atelier in Zwolle, 2026. This powerful wall relief reveals a different facet of van der Tuin’s material language while remaining rooted in the same contemplative philosophy. Constructed on a base of polystyrene and wood, the work is gradually built up with layers of plaster reinforced with hardener and resin. Unlike other works finished with chalk or crayon, this piece is completed with paint, allowing successive layers of color to settle into the deep grooves and ridges of the surface. The result is a rich, stratified appearance that recalls geological formations, as if the relief has been shaped by pressure and time rather than by a single, decisive gesture. Van der Tuin’s characteristic technique once again blurs the distinction between painting and sculpture. Thick, assertive strokes move across the surface with a sense of direction and restraint, creating a rhythmic structure that invites slow looking. The relief projects outward from the wall, yet remains visually grounded, its tactile qualities encouraging an almost physical response from the viewer. Light plays gently across the painted layers, emphasizing subtle tonal shifts and reinforcing the work’s quiet, earthy presence. Conceptually, the work stands firmly on its own. It does not seek to represent an external image but exists as an autonomous object with its own internal logic and emotional weight. In this sense, van der Tuin’s practice resonates with the legacy of ZERO artists such as Robert Ryman, Johannes Schoonhoven, Bram Bogart and Yves Klein, while maintaining a distinctly personal, expressive voice. Minimal and restrained at first glance, the work gradually reveals a vibrant inner life, shaped by movement, imperfection, and transformation. Hand signed and dated on the reverse, this unique relief reflects the artist’s enduring desire to fill empty spaces with meaning, presence, and quiet intensity. 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