Germany
Jan Douma'
As a sculptor I’m interested in the way a form ‚connects‘. How does it relate to another form or to the onlooker? In which way does the space in between take part in the dialogue? How do the mere silent structures on the surface and the specific characteristics of the material contribute to the expression? A piece usually gets its final shape in a rather slow process of alternating between intervention and standing back to let things happen.
The material used is mainly stone, wood or concrete and sometimes a combination of those. The specific material, the way it breaks, the particular structures and colours, the grain and texture, the smooth or rather rough surface, the scars and marks either caused by erosion or by hammer and chisel, angle grinder or chainsaw; they all add to the overall appearance.
My sculptures have a lot to do with space. Preferably placed directly on the ground, a piece relates in its own way to the surroundings. In essence, many of the pieces are forms in space, often reduced to a rather simple, casual and unspectecular shape.
At times, two or more elements are put together. The way they are interwoven, closely interlinked or rather placed opposite each other, defines the specific relationship between the different parts. The space in between the forms can be crucial to the character of the piece. In carving directly in stone or wood and developing gradually the final piece, finding a suitable counterpart might be essential for the whole process.
The material used is mainly stone, wood or concrete and sometimes a combination of those. The specific material, the way it breaks, the particular structures and colours, the grain and texture, the smooth or rather rough surface, the scars and marks either caused by erosion or by hammer and chisel, angle grinder or chainsaw; they all add to the overall appearance.
My sculptures have a lot to do with space. Preferably placed directly on the ground, a piece relates in its own way to the surroundings. In essence, many of the pieces are forms in space, often reduced to a rather simple, casual and unspectecular shape.
At times, two or more elements are put together. The way they are interwoven, closely interlinked or rather placed opposite each other, defines the specific relationship between the different parts. The space in between the forms can be crucial to the character of the piece. In carving directly in stone or wood and developing gradually the final piece, finding a suitable counterpart might be essential for the whole process.
