Jan Eric Visser (born 1962), a sculptor based in Rotterdam, is renowned for his meticulous creation of abstract sculptures, using inorganic household waste from his personal life. For over three decades, he has been exploring an ecologically-conscious aesthetic, honoring the resources of the earth and the cycle of nature and life. His works strive for a harmonious fusion of concept, material, and activism, challenging our contemporary understanding of existence and matter. The presence of his alluring pieces – in terms of texture, color, size, and form – is closely intertwined with the ethical principles of their production. His artistic practice can be viewed as a unique personal signature, evoking ideas of completion and impermanence, mystery and urgency, and the interconnection of art and life. In a world where haste and distractions abound, his captivating sculptures provide a sanctuary for contemplation and introspection.
Methodology
Visser’s sculptures are the outcome of a simple yet effective technique: he assembles waste materials and covers them with paper pulp made from waste paper. After saturating them with wax, often leftover from votive candles, and gently polishing them, the objects acquire a new identity. Although the forms are rarely predicted, this approach encourages an abundance of formal diversity. The discarded items from his own bin or randomly collected outside serve as the main source of inspiration, as the artwork seems to emerge from the waste, revealing itself to the artist. Visser humorously refers to this method as “Form Follows Garbage.” Constantly trying to keep pace with the rate at which his bin fills up, he views his sculptures as a continuous process, each one representing a unique “stage” along the way.
www.ftn-books.com has the 2007 Gorcums Museum catalog now available.
