Added Jul 8, 2005
What is the Art of Andre van der Kerkhoff? At first glance his artworks may be viewed in terms of their superior technique, balance and beauty. Look deeper and you see another dimension whispering elusively to the viewer: whimsy, passion, disturbing, even contradiction. Andre van der Kerkhoff’s latest exhibition ‘My Secret River’ floods the viewer with its intensity and originality. You can drink in these virtual vistas at Rinaldi Gallery Melbourne during November.
There is an element to these works which draws you in and, much like the artist himself, there is the hint of still waters running deep. To meet the man is like viewing his art, for he himself is an enigma. At first impression his blond hair and blue eyes, Germanic upright demeanour and thick accent are more reminiscent of Arnold Schwarzenegger with a pencil and brush. Scratch the surface and you discover a man who would walk through fire to save his precious terrier; who has written poetry; who has educated himself in all aspects of life. He is a man whose heritage is steeped in the traditions of Middle Europe, juxtaposed with his Australian appreciation for freedom and space; a man who loves deeply, is larger than life and yet is somewhat shy and sensitive.
How does the man translate himself through his artworks? To put it simply his landscapes are metaphoric interpretations of the Australian vista which may be interpreted by the viewer as fantasy or just as a dream. Viewing any of Andre’s works is to walk into his mind and see his different perspective, the photographic vistas of his mind’s eye elucidated on canvas.
Every picture tells a story and the themes interwoven through Andre’s work juxtapose two very different understandings of the landscape in art: traditional European mathematical perspective and precision – capturing a moment in time… and the representation of Indigenous spirituality traditionally dotted over surfaces, telling an ancient people’s story.
Andre states: “It would be rather strange to live in one of Earth’s oldest landscapes and not to be interested in it and its unexplainable power and magic. There is a culture present, which has understood this landscape for thousands of years and become one of the most remarkable interpreters of it. I come from Europe and a very different history of landscape: my landscape stretches from the mosaics of Pompeii to Klimt and Mondrian! I am on a journey through my landscape. For me the landscape is life, and I try to find a compromise between the two different landscapes which have so far dominated my life.”
In his latest paintings Andre takes us on a journey titled ‘My Secret River’ – a logical evolution from the past series: ‘Somewhere West’, ‘From Above and Below’ and ‘Waltzing Somewhere West.’ In his latest offering he excites us by poetically interpreting the harsh Outback with delicacy and depth. Andre has broken through the traditional Australian colour cliché and experiments with hue, intensity and translucence, giving his works a spiritual quality. Andre offers us a contemporary portrayal of this great Southern Land: depicting the landscape with a new millennial eye. If you have a passion for your country then you will be drawn to this exhibition. If you are a dreamer you will be excited by what you see. If you are looking for something new and refreshingly original you won’t be disappointed. I know ‘My Secret River‘ won’t remain a secret for long.
Mark Holsworth, art critic ‘ Culture Critic @ Melbourne