About
Artist Statement
Robert van de Graaf (b. 1983, the Netherlands) is interested in the connections and relations between the mystical in this world, in all its manifestations (the sea, the sky, nature, human built environments, light and darkness), and the sense and the dimension of the spiritual world and our soul.
In his exploration he is seeking the mystical hidden in this world which he translates into metaphorical paintings. The works express a complex interplay of visual impressions combined with emotional and spiritual reflection. Each piece gives substance to his ongoing personal journey to seek meaning in life.
With his work Van de Graaf questions human destiny and how we as human beings can develop ourselves and grow on a spiritual level. He wishes his artworks to stimulate an opening towards personal deepening, both for himself and the viewer. The artworks aim to elicit a gaze back at the viewer, a reflection of feelings, crossing the line from observation to introspection.
Van de Graaf draws his inspiration from religious and spiritual stories, mythology, mystical places and the philosophy of life. His poetry, written during or before the creative process, also has a direct influence on his work. He transforms his inspiration into contemporary interpretations while richly referring to artists through all times of art history such as Caspar David Friedrich, Anselm Kiefer, Joan Mitchell and the old masters.
Though primarily working on his oil paintings, he is also using drawings and watercolours during the creation process. The oil paintings are layered, densely merging his diverse range of mark making, the expressive use of colour and studied compositions. His mark making, using brushes and palette knives, is moving from energetic gestural marks to very delicate ones, wishing his mark making to create a language which speaks directly to the heart and soul, not only to the ratio and mind. Throughout the different stages of the work he is adjusting in working speed, working from fast directed intuitive outbursts to precisely observed slower additions. The paintings are often large in scale and balance between the figurative and the abstract, giving a certain freedom to the viewer.
Van de Graaf received a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Architecture (Technical University Delft) in 2009. At an early age he enjoyed an intense private painting and drawing training (1996 – 2001) by the Dutch artist Erica Meyster (1949 – 2006).
Van de Graaf experiences the process of creating as freedom, inner battles and faith.
Biography
Robert van de Graaf (1983, born in The Hague, the Netherlands) is a Dutch visual artist living and working in The Hague, the Netherlands.
Van de Graaf received a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Architecture (Technical University Delft) in 2009. In 2005 and 2006, he worked as an intern in architecture in New York City. At Steven Learner Studio he worked on several art-related projects. Since 2012 he is devoting himself entirely to his career as a visual artist. He has since produced a large body of work, consisting theme-based series of artworks which are exhibited in numerous online and physical exhibitions, like his major exhibition in Europol Headquarters, The Hague, the Netherlands in 2019. Robert has been selected for the ‘Emerging Artist Programme 2023’ by Contemporary Art Collectors as one of the 20 internationally chosen artists.
He also enjoyed an intense private painting and drawing training at an early age (1996 – 2001) by the Dutch artist Erica Meyster (1949 – 2006). This period remains of great importance to his development as an artist.
Van de Graaf is interested in the connections and relations between the mystical in this world, in all its manifestations (the sea, the sky, nature, human built environments, light and darkness), and the sense and the dimension of the spiritual world and our soul. In his exploration he is seeking the mystical hidden in this world which he translates into metaphorical paintings. The works express a complex interplay of visual impressions combined with emotional and spiritual reflection. Each piece gives substance to his ongoing personal journey to seek meaning in life.
He draws his inspiration from religious and spiritual stories, mythology, mystical places and the philosophy of life. His poetry, written during or before the creative process, also has a direct influence on his work.
Though primarily working on his oil paintings, he is also using drawings and watercolours during the creation process. The works are layered, densely merging his diverse range of mark making, the expressive use of colour and studied compositions. The paintings are often large in scale and balance between the figurative and the abstract, giving a certain freedom to the viewer.
His art is held in private collections through the Netherlands, the United States and France.

Resume
2016 – current
Working as a visual artist, The Hague, The Netherlands
2012 – 2015
Working as a visual artist, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2010 – 2011
Working at two Dutch architectural firms
2001 – 2009
2009, July, Master of Science (MSc), Architecture, Technical University Delft, the Netherlands.
2006, bachelor degree Architecture, Technical University Delft, the Netherlands.
August 2006 – September 2007
Internships in Architecture, New York City, New York.
– Steven Learner Studio (Steven Learner, founder of ‘Collective Design Fair’, New York City, New York), worked on ‘the Granary’ (private gallery for the collectors M. Bucksbaum and R. Learsy), Litchfield County, Connecticut and ‘Haunch of Venison’ gallery, New York City, New York
– Rietveld Architects, New York City, New York
Working as a visual artist, New York City, New York. Studio apartment was situated in the Hamilton Heights (143rd Street, between Broadway and Riverside Drive)
1996 – 2001
Private education in painting and drawing by the Dutch Artist, Erica Meyster (1949 – 2006).
30th September 1983
Born in The Hague, The Netherlands
Extensive resume on request
Exhibitions
2023 11 March – 1 July
Solo-exhibition, Salon des Arts, Maastricht, the Netherlands, The exhibition will be opened on 11th March (14:00 – 18:00) by Ad Himmelreich, former conservator of the Bonnefanten Museum, Maastricht, the Netherlands. The publication, written by Ad Himmelreich, about the artist and his work will be revealed on the opening.
2023 1 February – 31 December
Contemporary Art Collectors, ‘Emerging Artist Programme 2023’, Online artists catalogue www.contemporary-art-collectors.com
2022 14 September – 15 November
Contemporary Art Collectors, ‘Fabricated Realities’, Group-exhibition, virtual art exhibition, www.contemporary-art-collectors.com/virtualartexhibition
2022
Private Studio Exhibitions, for art collectors, The Hague, The Netherlands
2022 10 August – 10 September
London Paint Club, ‘Tendencies in Painting’, Group-exhibition, online viewing room, www.londonpaintclub.com – Tendencies in Painting
2022 23 February – 23 July
Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, ‘Butterfly Effect’, virtual exhibition, presenting work of the series ‘Stories of Transition’, www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com
2022 8 -15 February
THE HOLY ART, ‘Transitions’, Virtual group-exhibition, presenting work of the series ‘Stories of Transition’
2021 22 – 31 October
ACAF x Catawiki auction, presenting works on paper of the series ‘Stories of Transition’. Curated by Stephanie Manasseh (SM Art Advisory & Accessible Art Fair)
2021
Private Studio Exhibitions, for art collectors, The Hague, The Netherlands
2021 16 September – 7 October
London Paint Club, ‘Contemporary Narratives’, Group-exhibition, online viewing room, www.londonpaintclub.com
2021 1 April – 1 June
Contemporary Art Station, ‘VRAF 2021 | Virtual Art Fair’, virtual exhibition, presenting paintings of the series ‘Silence and The City’
2021 1 February – 1 June
Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, ‘Infinite Dreams’, virtual exhibition, www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com
2020 29 August – 19 September
Studio Exhibition, presentation of the new series ‘Silence and The City’, The Hague, The Netherlands
2020 3 August – 1 December
Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, ‘New Horizons’, virtual exhibition, www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com
2019 December
Studio Exhibition, presenting the series ‘Saint John’s Cave of Light’, The Hague, The Netherlands
2019
Private Studio Exhibitions, for art collectors, The Hague, The Netherlands
2019 11 – 14 April
Paris ART FAIR 2019, Paris, France
2019 15 January – 15 March
EUROPOL HEADQUARTERS, ‘Dutch Art Exhibition’ (group exhibition), The Hague, The Netherlands. Opening on 15th of January / Opened by Wil van Gemert, Deputy Executive Director of Europol and Saskia Bruines, Deputy Mayor of The Hague.
2018
Private Studio Exhibitions, for art collectors, The Hague, The Netherlands
2018 December
Studio Exhibition, presenting the series ‘Visions of St. John The Divine’, The Hague, The Netherlands
2018 5 – 9 December
Circle Foundation, ‘Red Dot Miami’, Miami, US
2018 May
Studio Exhibition, presenting the series ‘St. John’s Heavens and Stars’, The Hague, The Netherlands
2017 29 October – 5 November
Studio Exhibition, ‘Art & Wine opening new studio’, presenting the series ‘The Bible and the Sea’, The Hague, The Netherlands
2017
Private Studio Exhibitions, for art collectors, The Hague, The Netherlands
2015 07 – 15 November
Classic Event 2015 (New Place Art Gallery), Kortrijk, Belgium
2015 12 – 14 June
Art Laren 2015 (New Place Art Gallery), Laren, The Netherlands
2015 19 – 27 April
Art & Antiques Fair ‘s-Hertogenbosch 2015 (New Place Art Gallery), ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
2015 01 – 30 April
New Place Art Gallery, Solo-exhibition, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
2015
Fransastic, ‘art, bees and urbanhny’, Hotel Pulitzer, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2014 September
Annual Dutch Art Fair, Solo-exhibition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2012
Kruithuis, Group-exhibition, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
2009 Autumn
Chiellerie, Group-exhibition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2009 August
Studio Graduation Exhibition, ‘Arts and Architecture Amsterdam’ (Deymanstraat), The Netherlands
2009 Spring
Chiellerie, Group-exhibition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2007 October
Ververs Gallery, Group-exhibition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2007 May
Studio Exhibition, ‘Harlem Soirée, 3 Artists’, New York City, USA. 143rd Street, 619, New York, New York (with Gabriel Serpa and Jordi Matas)
2001 17 February – 17 April
Fonteinkerk, ‘Recent Paintings and Drawings’, Voorburg, The Netherlands
Publications
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PUBLICATION, Aesthetica Magazine, Artist Directory & Publication, December / January (2023)
December / January (2023), Issue 110
Visit the Artist Directory during December and January on Aesthetica Magazine – Artist’ Directory . Van de Graaf is very happy to be included in the print publication with two works of ‘The Alchemy of Dreams’ series.
Click here for video of the Artist’ Directory – Aesthetica Magazine
EXHIBITION CATALOGUE, ’Tendencies in Painting’, by London Paint Club
November 2022
The exhibition features 28 international artists. Van de Graaf is presenting works from the ‘Stories of Transition’ series.
Visit the exhibition – London Paint Club
INTERVIEW, ‘COLLECTOR'S VISION INTERNATIONAL ART AWARD’, by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
14 March 2021
COLLECTOR BOOK | NEW PERSPECTIVES, by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
April 2020
Collector Book | New Perspectives / Hard cover and soft cover
Sold at various bookstores and distributed to gallery owners, museum directors and collectors
PUBLICATION ARTWORK, Vind Magazine nr. 31
September 2018
Magazine hardcopy
PUBLICATION ARTWORKS, Publication Artworks on website, Circle Foundation for the Arts
Spring 2018
PUBLICATION ARTWORK, Announcement Exhibition Artfair ADAF, Online Galerij
July 2014
Online announcement art fair on website
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INTERVIEW, with ‘Contemporary Art Collectors’
27 January 2023
Contemporary Art Collectors is an art and culture platform that focuses on contemporary art collecting, showcasing a multitude of artists and their talent to thousands of followers.
CAC discusses the relevant conversations and topics in art, examines potential paths of future development, the culture of contemporary art collecting, and how art itself can become a more prominent and meaningful part of people’s everyday lives.
Visit Contemporary Art Collectors – interview – to read the whole interview!
EXHIBITION CATALOGUE, ’Contemporary Narratives Pt.2’, by London Paint Club
3 – 24 October 2021
The exhibition features 20 international artists. Van de Graaf is presenting three works from the ‘Silence and The City’ series.
Visit the exhibition – London Paint Club
Click here for video of the Publication Exhibition Catalogue
Contemporary Art Curator Magazine - Interview
22 April 2020
PUBLICATION ARTWORKS, Website by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
March 2019
Publication of a selection of artworks on the artist page, www.contemporaryartcurator.com/robert-van-de-graaf/
PUBLICATION ARTWORKS, Spotlight 9 Magazine, Circle Foundation for the Arts
PUBLICATION ARTWORKS, Publication Artworks in Magazine, Kunstoase
Summer edition 2014
Magazine in hardcopy
Awards
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Luxembourg Art Prize, Honorable mention, 2022
2022
The Luxembourg Art Prize is an annual international artistic prize organized by the Pinacothèque, a private museum located in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Its president and founder is Hervé Lancelin, one of the most influential art collectors in Europe.
Link to the Luxembourg Art Prize
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'Faces of the Peace Award', by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, October 2022
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Luxembourg Art Prize, Honorable mention, 2021
2021
The Luxembourg Art Prize is an annual international artistic prize organized by the Pinacothèque, a private museum located in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Its president and founder is Hervé Lancelin, one of the most influential art collectors in Europe.
Link to the Luxembourg Art Prize
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'Collector's vision International Art Award', by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, March 2021
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Luxembourg Art Prize, Honorable mention, 2019
2019
The Luxembourg Art Prize is an annual international artistic prize organized by the Pinacothèque, a private museum located in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Its president and founder is Hervé Lancelin, one of the most influential art collectors in Europe.
Link to the Luxembourg Art Prize
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SELECTED, for the ‘Emerging Artist Programme 2023’, by Contemporary Art Collectors
27 January 2023
Contemporary Art Collectors is an art and culture platform that focuses on contemporary art collecting, showcasing a multitude of artists and their talent to thousands of followers.
CAC discusses the relevant conversations and topics in art, examines potential paths of future development, the culture of contemporary art collecting, and how art itself can become a more prominent and meaningful part of people’s everyday lives.
Visit Contemporary Art Collectors – Emerging Artist Programme 2023 – to visit the Artists Catalogue.
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'Voices of Tomorrow Award', by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, May 2022
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'Power of Creativity Award', by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, August 2021
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Luxembourg Art Prize, Honorable mention, 2020
2020
The Luxembourg Art Prize is an annual international artistic prize organized by the Pinacothèque, a private museum located in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Its president and founder is Hervé Lancelin, one of the most influential art collectors in Europe.
Link to the Luxembourg Art Prize
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