GEZIEN VAN DE RIET
"White Abeles in the dunes" Alkyd-oil-panel 90x60cm
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"Reaching for the sky" Watercolour-crayon-paper 60x40cm
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Daphne Tempera-oil-linen 80x40cm
"Tessa" Distemper-oil-linen 80x40cm
About Gezien Van de Riet
Ernst van de Wetering, world’s foremost authority on Rembrandt, 2018:
“Gezien van de Riet is an exceptionally gifted and driven artist. Her relation to nature in all its manifestations is astonishing. The love with which she captures those manifestations in her paintings arouses a special feeling of happiness in the beholder.”
Although I wanted to become a painter, I also had a keen social interest and got my Master's Degree in Sociology, University of Amsterdam, subsidiary subject History of Art. This brought me to Bolivia. My work with indigenous people allowed me to make a lot of drawings and watercolours, and I started following evening classes at the La Paz School of Fine Arts. The first exhibitions also took place in La Paz. I was frequently featured and interviewed by national press, radio and television and got a commission for a wall painting in a new hospital near La Paz.
Coming back to Europe as an artist, I dedicated myself entirely at painting and drawing, mostly nature and people.
Since 2016 part of the Art Renewal Center as an ‘Associated Living Master’. Participation in exhibitions of renowned galleries and Museum Møhlmann, an important Dutch platform for contemporary realism. My works are included in its collection and I feature in its numerous books since 2001 Realisten; also in other books, newspapers and magazines.
In 2008 my monograph ‘Gezien van de Riet. In ’t leven vindtmen ’t al’ (In life one finds all) was published.
I was selected by the Dutch Portrait Award (2014), and was a finalist in the ARC competition (2015, 2019) and passed the first selection of Figurativas, MEAM (2015 and 2017). Added to Grandes Autores of website ArteLibre in 2018 and to the Chinese website Clatia in 2019. Participating in Exhibition ‘20x20’ of Galería ArteLibre, in Zaragoza and the Museum MEAM in Barcelona. In 2019 works of mine will be added to the collection of the Fundación Cultural del Banco Central de Bolivia.
As an editor I wrote about realism, in monographs and magazines. My blog focusses on art history issues. I gave lectures, f.e. at TRAC2018, The Representational Art Conference, that took place in Holland.
"A month ago I donated about 500 works of art to Bolivia. I worked there closely with the Indian population for over ten years. The common art at that time was not intended for the Indians. They were rarely depicted as real people. In my art, however, they take the leading role. The illustrations had to strengthen their self-image in standing up for their rights. I strived for aesthetic quality, out of respect (and self-respect), and also because I think enjoyment is important. In a number of recent blogs I describe my adventures. My intentions at the time are in line with the Bolivian government’s policy nowadays: culture should be there for everyone. The National Museum of Art, the National Museum of Bolivia, therefore also organizes touring exhibitions. The Cultural Foundation of the Central Bank of Bolivia manages this museum. This is where my work is housed. The Minister of Foreign Affairs: “Through her art she shows us ourselves, through a European lens. But with the friendly look of someone with a warm feeling.” Through her art she was “in a sense a Bolivian too”. The museum will exhibit my work at the end of this year. More information at www.gezienvanderiet.nl/blog/ "
"North sea beach in sunset" Crayon-paper 32x42cm
"Our Gingko in autumn" Distemper-oil-panel 20x20cm
