Rene Korten’s work is based on balance and opposition. He primarily creates paintings, layering different types of paint and heavy visual elements such as sharp, freely-drawn lines and shapes, bold color fields and occasionally collaged images. His technique allows for the clash of visuals, but also a natural flow as different elements are canceled out or brought to the surface through the working and re-working of the materials. Korten has stated, “My paintings are a representation of a complex world, in which there is no separation between the abstract and the figurative.” This statement rings true as one looks at his works and can sometimes almost make out a recognizable outline or shape, only to have it blend seamlessly into the surrounding abstract forms and textures that dominate the picture plane. At the same time, these structured forms are not overpowered, thus creating a soothing balance where one would normally expect conflict.

Ton Slits creates paintings, collages, paper objects, and installations. In all of his work you will find layers of tightly structured, graphic shapes and precise forms, drawing the viewer in with their multiplication and changing proportions. He explores themes of  nature, and what he sees as a humanity that is changing very quickly, for better or worse. With his use of bold colors and stencil-like shapes, from afar his pieces appear to be playful and bold, but upon closer inspection they contain meaning and gravity that can be found in all of his work, featuring broken lines and vines, and eyes that look out at the viewer. His works on paper are made up of layers of delicate material that have been perforated with holes, or have shapes cut into them so that one can see through these makeshift windows to the layer before. The boldness of the shapes contrast with the materials that create a delicate balance that echoes his sentiments. With his three-dimensional work, Slits is able to more directly confront the viewer, almost surrounding them with shapes and shifting their focus into the piece, and further into his world.

At first glance, Michael Krupp’s work appears simple and minimal, however a closer examination shows its complexity. He creates paintings not only on canvas and wood but also on more unusual surfaces such as textiles, mirrors and glass. Using a variety of mediums including wax, metal, silicon, plastic and acrylics, he explores how the substances can be manipulated to create unique textures and patterns on the picture plane. The focus is not on the composition of the piece in a traditional sense, but more on the sense of order and balance that comes from the seemingly chaotic scattering and spreading of the materials. Colors are often soft and muted. Without strong colors weighing down the compositions, the overall structure and depth that is created through Krupp’s techniques is brought into the spotlight. One is able to see each individual layer that makes up the whole. Krupp is able to reshape his materials while allowing them to flow naturally, thus striking a balance between simplicity and intricacy. 

René Korten

Biography 

1957  Born in Horn, The Netherlands

1975-80          Moller Institute NLO Tehatex, Tilburg

1980-82          Academy for Art Education, Tilburg

1998-99         Artist in Residence Translacje 98, Piotrków Trybunalski, Poland 

2001 Artist in Residence Thupelo Cape Town International Workshop, Goedgedacht Farm, Malmesbury, South Africa 

2007             Artist in Residence Gastateliers, Daglicht/Beeldenstorm, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

2008          Artist in Residence Stormlicht, Daglicht/Beeldenstorm, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

2012-14         Teacher Fine Arts, Academy for Art Education, Fontys School of Fine and Performing Arts, Tilburg, The Netherlands

Recent Exhibitions

2014 (Solo) The Painterly and Precise, Appels Gallery, Amsterdam 

(Solo) Ocean Of Chance, Luycks Gallery, Tilburg 

A Thing of Beauty, Luycks Gallery, Tilburg

Man Man Mann - René Korten, Ton Slits, Michael Krupp, Galerie von der Milwe, Aachen, DE

Noir/Blanc, LOOK&LISTEN Gallery, Saint-Chamas, FR

45 Jaar Galerie, Galerie Lutz, Delft

The Beauty of Modesty, KAAI salon, Brugge, BE

The Last Rose of Summer, Kunstroute Plateau van Margraten, Wanda Reiff Contemporary Art, Bemelen

Vaasotheek Project Stilleven, Gemeentehuis Heemskerk

Nieuw, nieuwer, nieuwst [2], Museum van Bommel van Dam, Venlo

2013 (Solo) On Purpose, Galerie Lutz, Delft 

TAB@Clement, i.s.m. Timmer Art Books, Galerie Clement, Amsterdam

Stilleven, 102 vazen van 99 kunstenaars, Museum De Pont, Tilburg

Voorbeeldige nestvlieders, Gemeentehuis Leudal, Heythuysen

Tekenkabinet, KunstSalon Assen, Assen

Tekenkabinet, Museum Waterland, Purmerend

Della Pittura, Luycks Gallery, Tilburg

IKOB COLLECTION. Bildungsroman einer Sammlung. Die 0-20 Jahre, IKOB Museum für Zeitgenössische Kunst, Eupen, BE

KunstRAI 2013, RAI Amsterdam, Timmer Art Books

Omzwervingen, Yves Beaumont, Paul Corvers, René Korten, EM Galerie, Drachten

2012 (Solo) Diver's Eye, Museum De Pont, Tilburg 

(Solo) Terwijl het verandert, Luycks Gallery, Tilburg 

Art Gent, Gent (BE) (Museum van Bommel van Dam, Venlo)

Art Gent, Gent (BE) (Luycks Gallery, Tilburg)

Uit de Verzameling - Landschappen, Museum van Bommel van Dam, Venlo

The London Art Book Fair, Timmer Art Books, Whitechapel Gallery, London (UK)

Fase 2 - Uit de verzameling van Hans Timmer, Stadhuis Gorinchem

Five, Galerie 1/52, La Seyne sur Mer (FR)

Hedendaags Arcadië, Luycks Gallery en Kunsthal Goretti, Tilburg

2011              (Solo) Muse Atlas, SEA Foundation, project space Gust van Dijk, Tilburg 

(Solo) Schilderijen en werken op papier, Wanda Reiff Contemporary Art, Bemelen 

(Solo) Schrijf mij uit, verdubbel me, Salon 2060, Antwerpen (BE) 

Verzamelen, Mail Art project, Van Abbemuseum, Bibliotheektentoonstelling, Eindhoven

Kunstroute  Plateau van  Margraten, Wanda Reiff Contemporary Art, Bemelen

2010       Sea Bait, De Nederlandsche Cacaofabriek, Helmond

Finding Place, Luycks Gallery, Tilburg (with P. van Rijswijk)

Four Paintings, RUIMTE-X, Tilburg (with P. van Rijswijk)

Feeler, Hilvaria Studio's Foundation, Hilvarenbeek

Scene/Seen, Leerling/Meester expositie, Kunstpodium T, Tilburg

5th International Printmaking Biennial of Douro 2010, Invited Artists, Museo do Douro, Alijó (PT)

Slice Installed, nieuwe opstelling, Hilvaria Studio's Foundation, Hilvarenbeek

Ton Slits

Biography 

1955  Born in The Netherlands

1972 – 1977 Studied at the Tilburg Academy of Art

1977 – 1979 Studied at the Jan van Eyck/Akademie in Maastricht 

Currently lives and works in Cadier en Keer 

Recent Exhibitions

2011  Galerie Stevens, Maastricht (NL) 

2010  Silence of Space, SHI FANG Fine Art, Düsseldorf (D)

                                Kunstroute Plateau van Margraten (NL)

                                ‘Entlang dem Rande des Mondes’,  Ton Slits and Horst Keining at IKOB Museum for Contemporary Art Eupen (B)    

                                ‘Entlang dem Rande des Mondes’,  Ton Slits and Horst Keining at Museum van Bommel van Dam, Venlo (NL)

2009  (Solo) Kunstdagen Wittem (NL)

                        (Solo) Eurode Bahnhof, Forum für Kunst und Kultur, Herzogenrath (D)

        (Solo) Willem 3, Vlissingen (NL) 

                                Kunstroute Plateau van Margraten (NL)

2008          (Solo) Galerie Stevens, Maastricht (NL)

    (Solo) DSM, Sittard (NL) 

                    De IKOB Collectie, Museum van Bommel van Dam, Venlo (NL)

2007  (Solo) Galerie 1, SBK, Sittard (NL)

          (Solo) Galerie 59, SBK, Amsterdam (NL)

          (Solo) Kunstvereniging Diepenheim, Diepenheim (NL) 

                                De Kunstsupermarkt, Stadsgalerij Heerlen (NL) 

                                Regionaal Historisch Centrum, Maastricht (NL)

2006  (Solo) Galerie Arte Coppo, Verviers (B) 

                                Regionaal Historisch Centrum, Maastricht (NL)

Michael Krupp

Biography

1954 Born in Bruhl, 

1975-84         Studied architecture at the RWTH Aachen

1980-82         Studied at the Ecole de Beaux Arts, Paris

        Studied at the Ecole du Louvre, Paris

Lives and Works in Aachen

Recent Exhibitions

2014 Man Man Mann, Galerie von der Milwe, Aachen, DE

        Kunstroute Plateau van Margraten, Wanda Reiff Gallery, NL

2013 Kontrapunkt, Galerie von der Milwe, Aachen, DE

2011 Hortus, Galerie von der Milwe, Aachen, DE

2009  Galerie von der Milwe, Aachen, DE

2007 Galerie von der Milwe, Aachen, Gr
          

  Roland Temporäre Kleingärten, Gr

2005 Projektionen, mit Gerhard Benz, Aula Carolina, Aachen

2004 Schloss Burg Au, Düren

2004 Stadt KUNST, Bonn

2003 SCREENS, Neue Malereien, Zeitgenössische Kunst, Galerie Michael Schneider, Bonn