If i look at the long list of most influential and important artists in the the Netherlands, Rik van Iersel is among the first 100 for the last 15 years or so, but the last few years it looks like he is loosing more and more his higher positions on the list.
Still for me personally , i think his importance is still growing. His art ” language” is inspired by his surroundings and his paintings read like comic books. The style is a form of abstract figuration which can be compared with the spontanuous figures that populate the works by Jean Michel Basquiat. He does not belong to the FIGURATION LIBRE….no he is Rik van Iersel and on my personal list to acquire for our collection when there is a chance to buy at auction. van Ierel is “self taught” and where others persued a career in illustration and comic boooks. His career focusses on painting and graphic art.
After so many years he is established. His works being sold at gallery Willy Schoots and “one man” shows at some of the main stream museums like the Bommel van Dam museum. ( catalogue available at www.ftn-books.com)
