1.Big Chief earth, 2009 Natural matter and forces on canvas 60x60 cm. euro 1250    2.Big chief water, 2009 Natural matter and forces on canvas 60x60 cm. euro  1250    3.Big Chief air, 2009 Natural matter and forces on canvas 60x60 cm. euro 1250     4.Big Chief fire, 2009 Natural matter and forces on canvas 60x60 cm. euro 1250    5.The firefetus, 2009 Natural matter and forces on canvas 60x60 cm. euro 1250    6.A growing blue prayer, 2009  Natural matter and forces on canvas 60x60 cm. euro 1250 

6 works from the series “Big Chief is lief” which is a tribute to all people to whom vital contact with nature is business as usual.

I call my works Primal landscapes.
Although at first my work look like paintings, it has not much to do with traditional painting. In the course of time, I developed a technique where the connection with the earth plays a major role.

In my work paint is replaced by natural matter like sand, clay, fibres, wood and stone bonded by casein. The brush is replaced by my hands and natural forces. The elements earth, water, fire and air can manifest themselves literal.

The forming of the Primal landscapes is an organic process which already starts in the frame. Before assembling as a frame, the wood is split and worked until the woods own shape comes forward.
I call this process “liberating the tree from the wood.”

The canvas that is applied is not just a bearer, but a full participant in the developing process. The whole process is intuitive in which I look for collaboration with the matter.

The properties of the matter are cherished and emphasized. For example clay, when water extracts from clay, it cracks. We can see this process at the riverbanks every summer. The same can be seen in my work.
Sustainability of the result is always guarded so the Primal landscapes can easily withstand the ravages of time.


Rob van Leeuwen
www.robvanleeuwen.com