Theo Willemse


(Theo with 'Cross-Sconce' - photo by Marlene Wilson)




 

The art of Theo Willemse gives free rein to his audience's imagination. His serene but organic sculptures and paintings invite contemplation of dramas in stylized anatomy - human, tree and animal. His art work and design attain a high degree of finish utilising an array of materials to express his narrations in layered monochromatic forms.

Theo was born in Amsterdam, Holland in l951, and currently resides in Toronto, Canada

 

 

 

Intended to be cast in bronze, 'Cross-Sconce' is a wooden carving (19.5"L X 8"W X 5.25"H) that seems to have a life of its own. Theo's sculptures have a serene but organic quality to them.

 

'Cathedral Window' is not a large piece (9"L X 3"W X 19"H) but invites contemplation like a form of curvilinear Gothic tracery. The upper section is now a wood carving on a tinted cast-stone base. Theo intends to cast the wooden element in bronze.

 

Sculptural cuff

Theo developed the 'Signature' series of sculptural jewellery after a project with Cylla von Tiedemann and the National Ballet Company of Canada. He was commissioned to produce a series of sculptural shapes and frames for the dancers to interact with for their portraits in the NBC's year book.

After watching how the dancers could use and interpret abstract shapes, he decided to produce smaller shapes based on his sculptural vocabulary, so that people could wear them as jewellery.

The large cuff at the left was intended as a 'show' piece and not part of the regular series.

 

Painting with frame by artist

Because he feels that framing is an integral part of painting, Theo custom builds display elements that complement his work. This small 9" painting has a base in tinted cast-stone, and a hand finished wooden lattice that gives it an almost ecclesiastical quality.

 

Anyone wishing to contact Theo can call him at his studio, or write to -

Theo Willemse, 451 Adelaide Street West, Suite 3, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5V 1T1

Telephone 416-703-0439

 

 

© Marlene Wilson 2005. All rights reserved.