Artist Statement
Robert van de Graaf (1983, The Netherlands) is interested in the connection between the mystical in this world, in all its manifestations, and the sense and the dimension of the spiritual world.
Van de Graaf draws his inspiration from myths, mystical places or stories (both from history and present times) and the philosophy of life. He wishes his artworks to provide ‘food’ for the soul, both for himself and the viewer. His artworks give substance to his ongoing journey to seek meaning in life.
He transforms the inspiration he draws from these themes into contemporary (symbolic) interpretations while referring to paintings of the old masters such as El Greco’s ‘The Vision of Saint John’ (1608-1614). The paintings move between figuration and abstraction, giving the viewer certain freedom of interpretation. At the same time the intensity of the paintings act like a gaze back at the viewer, a reflection of thoughts, crossing the line from observation to introspection and self-examination.
The moment he started to work with oil paint he fell in love with the medium and this continues to grow ever since. Van de Graaf experiences the process of creating as inner battles, freedom and faith.

News
ACAF x Catawiki auction, Curated by Stephanie Manasseh (SM Art Advisory & Accessible Art Fair).
ACAF x Catawiki auction, Curated by Stephanie Manasseh (SM Art Advisory & Accessible Art Fair)
22 – 31 October 2021
ONLINE EXHIBITION, ’Contemporary Narratives’ by London Paint Club
ONLINE EXHIBITION, ’Contemporary Narratives’ by London Paint Club
3 – 24 October 2021
The exhibition features 20 international artists.
WORK IN PROGRESS ‘Stories of Transition’
September 2020 – Working on it
The series consists of 22 oil paintings (one Diptych and one Triptych), 19 Watercolor Drawing Studies and Drawing Studies
REPRESENTATION SINGULART ONLINE GALLERY, Based in Paris
June 2021
SINGULART is a high profile curated online art gallery based in Paris.
VIRTUAL ART FAIR, by Contemporary Art Station, April – June 2021
1 April – 1 June 2021
Presenting works from the new series ‘Silence and The City’.
www.contemporaryartstation.com
COLLECTOR’S VISION INTERNATIONAL ART AWARD, with interview, by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
March 2021
ONLINE EXHIBITION ‘Infinite Dreams’, by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
1 February – 1 June 2021
Presenting new works from the series ‘Silence and The City’.
ONLINE EXHIBITION ‘New Horizons’, by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
3 August – 1 December 2020
Presenting new works from the series ‘Silence and The City’.
STUDIO EXHIBITION, presenting the new series ‘Silence and The City’
29 August – 19 September 2020
Presenting 17 oil paintings and 13 Watercolour Drawing Studies
PUBLICATION BOOK ‘NEW PERSPECTIVES’, with interview, by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
March 2020
Book
www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com/collector-book-new-perspectives
NEW COLLABORATION, Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
January 2019 – Current
www.contemporaryartcurator.com/robert-van-de-graaf/
WORK IN PROGRESS, Series ‘Silence and The City’
2019 September – 2020 September
The series ‘Silence and The City’ is inspired by New York City and the search for contemplation and inner silence in everyday life
PRIVATE STUDIO EXHIBITION, Dutch Art Collector, The Hague, The Netherlands
14 July 2019
Studio exhibition presenting work from the series, ‘The Bible and the Sea’, ‘Saint John’s Cave of Light’ and ‘Visions of St. John the Divine’.
EXHIBITION EUROPOL HEADQUARTERS, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Group Exhibition | 15 January – 15 March 2019
Group exhibition with Anja Vosdingh Bessem, Maria Riemen and Paole Stokman.
ART AND WINE OPENING EXHIBITION, New Studio, The Hague, The Netherlands
29 October 2017
Opening of the new studio at Scheveningen Harbor, with exhibition presenting the new series ‘The Bible and the Sea’ (2016 – 2017).
Classic event 2015, Kortrijk, Belgium
Exhibition Artfair www.classic-event.be
07 – 15 November 2015
Art Laren 2015, Laren, The Netherlands
12 – 14 June 2015
www.artlaren.nl
Represented by the ‘New Place art gallery’ (‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands)
ART & ANTIQUES FAIR, ’s-Hertogenbosch 2015, The Netherlands
19 – 27 April 2015
www.afsh.nl
Represented by the ‘New Place Art gallery’ (‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands)
SOLO EXHIBITION at New Place art gallery (‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands)
SOLO EXHIBITION at New Place art gallery
01 – 30 April 2015
www.new-place-gallery.com
ADAF 2014 (Annual Dutch Art Fair), Amsterdam
Solo Exhibition Artfair
27 & 28 September 2014 – Stand 202
www.adaf.nl