Statement
In my works i’d like to explore the visual language of abstraction. The focus is not so much on beauty and appearance of the material, but on the clarity of the abstract shape and visibility of the process. Like Jan Schoonhoven’s reliefs, the works are constructed in order to accentuate light and shadow. By painting them, shape and skin are emphasized.
The geometrically shaped works are small in size and often wall based. They can be associated with trends in art such as constructivism and (post)minimal art. There is a kinship with Dutch sculptors such as Ad Dekkers and Carel Visser and more strongly with the small-scale, almost contrived works of the American artists Richard Tuttle and Richard Francisco. Their principle “less is more” is used to create a good image and the appropriate aesthetics that the work should radiate.
The works are not intended as urgent, but rather reflective. Inspiration originates from modern and historic urban culture, architecture, music and natural structures. An associative approach is an essential part of the process. Each original idea can therefore be released in the search for the essence of the image.
“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:
- 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:
- 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, 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
