TIMOTHY VAN OORSCHOT
(1989 – THE NETHERLANDS)
As a child, I was always creative. I studied fine art and advertising and eventually started working in the interior design world. At one point, I had a strong need to go back to the past when I was still creating with only pen and paper without thinking too much. This was the moment when I started thinking “who am I?” and “what do I want?”. Waking up in the morning every day looking at myself in the mirror, it occurred to me that I just had to face it.
I am anti perfection. Beauty is not about being perfect or unique but just imperfect like that one misshapen apple or that tree that grows crooked. Same as that unintended line that gives character. I wanted to go back to the days when things didn’t have to be perfect. The time when I could still be just myself without thinking without the fear of failure because that’s where the strength I’m looking for lies. As a young kid I was always inspired by Cobra art and outsider art and I still am maybe even more than ever before. Because they are not tied to rules or boundaries.
I work as quickly as possible in one movement. Often from one line because this creates the imperfection wherein lies the unexpected. The faster the better because then I don’t have to think too much when I think things go wrong. The focus is currently on “who am I?”.
This manifests itself in repeatedly painting the face at the moment. It’s like thinking “who am I” over and over. On top of that, the face is also the part of us that expresses the most emotions, from the body it tells a lot without saying a word.
My work
I mainly work with black and white art because this feels to me like the base, the first lines, and that’s where I currently want to be back: at the base.
You’ll see in my work ideas such as 3D creations in which faces are made on the oval form of an egg. It is reminiscent of the thoughts of birth or a mask behind which I was hiding.
There is also the work “Which side are you on?” that questions why we have to choose a side every time and why we can’t just be who we are.
The work is sometimes a bit naive, yes maybe it is, that’s why I would call my work “ naive brut”. I don’t see myself as a painter or an artist but as someone who has to get rid of his mind and who has to face who he really is.
CONCEPTS BEHIND THE WORK
Black and white art
During my journey of self-discovery, I find ideas that stick with me and later erupt into these concepts exploring personality, self-discovery, and the question of “who am I?”. Here’s a small selection (See work)
“COUNTING ON YOU”
The “Counting On You” totems are 3D representations, designed to resemble rocks with my signature one-line stroke. These rocks appearing to balance on eachother, forming an artful stack with multiple sides. They convey a power- ful message about the importance of standing tall and strong, just like rocks, even when juggling the challenges that come from our different personalities.
These sculptures symbolize our intercon-nectedness and how we rely on each other. They remind us that we can’t flourish in isolation; our lives are wo- ven together in a delicate web of rela- tionships. As you depend on me and I depend on you, we become integral to each other’s lives, supporting and leaning on one another for strength.
These artworks hold a profound mean- ing; they remind us to create balance not only for ourselves but also for future generations..
We have a collective responsibility to maintain this equilibrium, shaping a har- monious world for those to come. Our actions today have a lasting impact on the lives of those who will follow.
“Counting On You” celebrates our in- terconnectedness and highlights the beauty of our diversity. Like steadfast rocks, standing together with resilience and unity, we can navigate life’s chal- lenges and build a future grounded in cooperation and understanding. .
“ONE PRINT MANY FACES”
Fingerprints are widely used by various organizations as a unique identifier to establish one’s identity. They can be found in passports and are permanently stored in databases. However, the question arises whether finger prints truly define us and provide an objective reflection of our character, as they remain abstract recordings of moments frozen in history.
As for me, I have significantly evolved from the person I was at 18 or even yesterday. Life experiences, growth, and maturation have shaped the individual I am today. While my past actions contributed to my present self, it is unjust to hold me solely accountable for the deeds of my youth. Let us acknowledge that experiences have molded us, yet refrain from has tily judging or forming opinions based solely on actions from a decade ago. People undergo change, and I am not the same person I once was.
Though fingerprints play a crucial role in identification and security, they do not fully encapsulate the complexity and transformation of a human being over time. Instead, let us strive to understand each other’s journey and embrace the growth that accompanies it, without making undue assumptions about one another solely based on our past.
In my artwork, «One Print Many Faces,» I utilize my own fingerprint to create an oval form with distinct faces, symbolizing the uniqueness and evolution of individuals over time.
“FROM THE EARTH”
In my captivating series, “From The Earth,” I create heartfelt artworks tied to my cherished childhood memories. These unique pieces are crafted using earth collected from places that evoke nostalgia within me.
Ibiza holds a special place in my heart, and the earth from this enchanting island is at the core of these artworks. It was a time of carefree joy, spent playing in the garden, feeling the earth under my fingers, and building sandcastles on the beach. Life was simple, and worries were distant.
With these works of earth-infused artistry, ofthen created by usings sticks and fingers, I aim to capture the essence of those carefree days and preserve the beauty of those memories.
Through this series, I invite others to share in my journey and discover their own cherished pasts within my art. Let’s celebrate the magic of life’s simple joys and the power of reconnecting with our roots.
