KunstRAI Amsterdam

Van der Ham, originally graduated as a painter, was mainly active as a sculptor for over 30 years. Until recently the need arose to return to his old metier and to make a new start from the spatial work with paintings in various formats.

Recently, the somewhat oppressive undertone in his older work seems to have given way to more transparency and light. As if the lost souls finally want to reveal themselves to us. With his solo exhibition MEHR LICHT! at Galerie Larik in 2020, this transition was already visible in his plaster sculptures.

At the KunstRAI we see in a solo presentation how Van der Ham has further implemented this on the flat surface. But while his current paintings seem more undisguised, they still exude the same modesty. Without a clearly defined idea, he starts painting and a canvas takes its final shape in the process. Anecdotal paintings with a mostly dreamy, melancholic character are the result. The observant viewer will regularly see references to art history in the works.

The bright, saturated color palette is the result of his homemade oil paint according to a recipe by Markus Lüpertz, which the master once entrusted to him personally.

His interest in the subcutaneous always emerges, in his own visual work and in the exhibitions he creates as a curator. We saw this reflected in the ANIMA MUNDI exhibition, which he made in 2018 as guest curator for Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. Here the inspiration of matter ran like a thread through the exhibition. Also as co-founder and artistic director of Garage Rotterdam, he was able to create leading shows with international artists, based on themes that always gave food for thought. In line with the question that always arises for him, who we are and what role we play in this universe.

(text: Monique Tolk)

Hans van der Ham, paintings

stand 17

Sander Creman Art | Design | Projects & Gallery Larik

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Hans van der Ham (1960, Eindhoven) became known for his black clay sculptures. Vulnerable souls, wrapped in rock hard material. But his indefinable worlds on paper, made with gouache or black ink, also characterize his oeuvre. His work was represented by Galerie Nouvelles Images in The Hague until its closure in 2018. Van der Ham, originally graduated as a painter, was mainly active as a sculptor for over 30 years. Until recently the need arose to return to his old metier and to make a new start from the spatial work with paintings in various formats. Recently, the somewhat oppressive undertone in his older work seems to have given way to more transparency and light. As if the lost souls finally want to reveal themselves to us. With his solo exhibition MEHR LICHT! at Galerie Larik in 2020, this transition was already visible in his plaster sculptures. At the KunstRAI we see in a solo presentation how Van der Ham has further implemented this on the flat surface. But while his current paintings seem more undisguised, they still exude the same modesty. Without a clearly defined idea, he starts painting and a canvas takes its final shape in the process. Anecdotal paintings with a mostly dreamy, melancholic character are the result. The observant viewer will regularly see references to art history in the works. The bright, saturated color palette is the result of his homemade oil paint according to a recipe by Markus Lüpertz, which the master once entrusted to him personally. His interest in the subcutaneous always emerges, in his own visual work and in the exhibitions he creates as a curator. We saw this reflected in the ANIMA MUNDI exhibition, which he made in 2018 as guest curator for Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. Here the inspiration of matter ran like a thread through the exhibition. Also as co-founder and artistic director of Garage Rotterdam, he was able to create leading shows with international artists, based on themes that always gave food for thought. In line with the question that always arises for him, who we are and what role we play in this universe. (text: Monique Tolk) Hans van der Ham, paintings stand 17 Sander Creman Art | Design | Projects & Gallery Larik