WILLEM BEHR -contemporary artist

  Willem Behr (Amsterdam, 1953) calls himself an "artist of Being".
Since 1986 he is living and working in Zeeland, the Netherlands. The "Being" is central in his work.
"Being is what makes the existing into being", (Heidegger: ´Sein und Zeit´, 1929)

Willem seems to be a person with several identities. It is very difficult to detect a certain pattern in his work, there seem to be almost two or even three Willems.
With a fanatic drive he emerses himself into life and art, it is as if he wants to overhaul time.

His investigation of "Being" is based on three pillars:
- he is the observer of a situation and reflects moods
- he allows the observer into his soul thus showing his vulnerability
- he paints an image which recalls a memory.

How does Willem do that?
Willem dispises amateurism, i.e. botching and depending on chance. In everything he does expertise and knowledge are important. Once the composed painting has become clear, matter must take over the work. The possibilities offered by the material play a big role in the composed painting.

Why?
He can't help it: art (´matter´) has him firmly in its grip. It is his way of reflecting, thinking over and researching his own life: "the being as Being".
Because of his diversity he is not limited to just one discipline but is switching all the time, clear as in his thoughts. Often designs are taken back and get worked out in a different context or perception.This is possible only because he has no tales to tell, no messages to convey, but only to challenge you to do exactly like him while at work, to start a dialogue again with yourself.

Atelier: Mariastraat 42C, Cadzand-dorp. tags: willem behr, contemporary, modern, art, the netherlands, holland, painting, sculpture, ceramic, installation, cadzand, gallery, workshops, summer, zeeuws, vlaanderenM