about

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 beauty of the material or demonstration of technical skill, but on clarity of shape, color, texture and visibility of the process.The works should radiate in order to “be”. I like them to be reflective and introspective commentators of life.

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. Like Jan Schoonhoven’s reliefs, the works are constructed in order to accentuate light and shadow. 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 in the search to create a good image and to find the appropriate suitable aesthetics that .

I like to change common perspectives in how we look at things, for instance architecture or natural structures. Further inspiration originates from historical and cultural artifacts. An associative approach is an essential part of the process to make use of unconsciousness choices. 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:

  • 2024 Solo 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:

  • 2023 Hectobar 26.0 (Pop-up sale/swap event curated by V&B), 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