Statement
In my works I explore the visual language of abstraction. Abstraction and the principle “Less is more” are means to get to the essence of my message. In my search, the focus is not so much on the beauty of the image, the material or demonstration of technical skill, but on clarity of the form, the colour, the texture and the visibility of the process. An associative approach is an essential part of the process of eliciting unconscious choices. Any original idea can therefore be abandoned in the search for the essence of the image and appropriate aesthetics.
The geometrically shaped works are often small in size, at the interface between two-dimensional and three-dimensional. They can be associated with movements in art, such as constructivism and (post)minimal art. Like Jan Schoonhoven’s reliefs, the works are constructed in such a way that light and shadow are accentuated. There is an affinity with Dutch sculptors such as Ad Dekkers and Carel Visser, and stronger with the small-scale, almost contrived works of the American artists Richard Tuttle and Richard Francisco.
I enjoy changing common perspectives in how we look at things around us and what we feel about them. I do this by investigating layers and structures from (urban) architecture and nature and approaching them non-logically or naive. I also get my inspiration from religious and cultural artefacts. I would like my works to radiate their own authenticity in order to “be”. I would like them to be reflective and introspective commentators on life.
“Material, size, colour and structure and a playful approach to those elements form the core of Charlie Kater’s work, together with the aim of communicating intimately with the viewer. The intimacy is an important aspect of the form of the work itself. In the playful approach, size, color and material show both themselves and also hint at something else. This makes the works enigmatic, you don’t really know what you’re looking at.” (Wouter Weijers, Art historian, now retired, at Radboud University Nijmegen)
Bio
Charlie Kater (1970, Venlo, The Netherlands) received his Bachelors of Sculpture in 1998 at AKI Academy Enschede, studied abroad in a fine arts exchange program at University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, and received an Honours Bachelors of Education in Visual Arts & Design in 2004 at University of Arts, Utrecht. He is a member of the Laren & Blaricum NL artist society, associated with the internationally acclaimed artist group “De Stijl.” His works are currently in private collections. Kater lives and works in Hilversum.
Prizes:
- 2019: Prijs Piet Staut: 2nd prize, BE
Solo exhibitions:
- 2024 18 pieces at VDHP Exposities, Amsterdam NL
- 2023 There is more different than it seems to be, Achter de Ramen, Amsterdam NL
- 2020 Achter de Ramen, Amsterdam NL
- 2018 I try to keep up with the rhythm, Atelier P68, Amersfoort NL
Group exhibitions:
- 2024 Hectobar 28.0 (Pop-up sale/swap event curated by V&B), Galerie Heejsteck, Utrecht NL
- 2023 Hectobar 26.0 (Pop-up sale/swap event curated by V&B), Galerie Heejsteck, Utrecht NL
- 2023 Mooi is anders, KV Laren /Blaricum, Rosa Spierhuis, Laren NL
- 2022-23 Maquette (curated by Robert Moon), No Show Space Gallery, London UK
- 2022 100 years KV Laren /Blaricum, Singer Museum Laren NL
- 2021 Fluffycrimes,- Show #7, Mana Contemporary Art Center Chicago ILL. USA
- 2021 Herontdekkingen with KV Laren /Blaricum, Kasteel Groeneveld, Baarn NL
- 2020 Laureatensalon KPSK, Kasteel Cortewalle, Beveren BE
- 2019 With Jan de Ruyter at Zaansgroen Gallery, Zaandam NL
- 2019 Prize Piet Staut, Kasteel Cortewalle, Beveren BE
- 2019 Kunstkijkroute Amersfoort, Amersfoort NL
- 1998 AKI Finals Sculpture, Kunstvereniging Diepenheim NL
Publications:
- “Maquette”, Catalogue 2022 by Robert Moon
- “Verenigde Solisten, 100 jaar vereniging van Beeldende kunstenaars Laten-Blaricum” door Peter C.L. van der Ploeg, 2022 ISBN 9789090363790
