BASTIAEN VRIES
I want the viewer to perceive real people, real characters.
I describe my style as ‘Human Realism’. Expressive portraits with a soul. I try to express the strength as the vulnerability of a person.
‘Zooming in’ on a face I find very exciting, because as a viewer you are captured by the portrait and there is no escape possible.
I have been inspired by my great-grandfather who did oil paintings until he was in his late nineties. I remember him painting landscapes and portraits when visiting him as a child. My mother also inspired me with her drawings and paintings, finding time to do it though busy with her work at the International Archives for the Women’s Movement (IIAV) and the raising of her two children.
Painting totally relaxes me like being in a meditative state. I think mainly about the creation of colours and applying them to the right area on the canvas. To make something from an empty canvas fuels my passion to create a harmony of light on the surface. Painting, like my fashion design work, involves form and colour composition; it sharpens my creativity in other expressions as well.
In addition to my own motivation, my partner supports and encourages my art. He provides valuable input which allows me to achieve better outcomes.
At the moment I work part time as:
- Art Mentor supporting people with aphasia as they create art, at Foundation Marline Fritzius.
- Interim coordinator at Atelier Marline Fritzius Amsterdam
I have been Head of Creative Design for various fashion companies, like Triumph International, HEMA, Miss Etam, and more.
click for portfolio fashion design
Furthermore lecturer and committee for Art Academies, like Artemis and AMFI. Coaching creative people and consulting companies.
EXHIBITIONS / EVENTS
2023 British Royal Society of Portrait Painters: preselected for the annual exhibition 2023 London read more
2022 Painting of the year 2022: painting ‘Adam’ ended in the top 10 read more
2022 TV-program ‘Sterren op het Doek’, Rob Kemps chose my painting read more
2022 Foundation Dutch Portrait Prize, ‘Sacha, my mother’ exhibited at Weekend of the Portrait 2022 read more
2022 Italian Cultural Institute Amsterdam: presentation of drawing ‘Pier Paolo Pasolini’
2022 Art Space Milano: two paintings for the virtual exhibition ‘All you need is Art’
2022 Sound Light Colour Art Space: three paintings exhibited at private event

1970 Hendrik Hebo ten Berge, my great-grandfather

1969 Sacha Vries-van Poorten, my mother
photo: ©Frans Vries F3

©bastiaenvries