Once started in graphic design and illustration, Thijs’ artistic activities focus on applied three-dimensional art installations.
His style is characterized by a clear signature and references to pop-art, iconography and vintage advertising. The fringes of life are a common thread throughout the work, brought to the viewer with a healthy, sometimes dark, sense of humour.
“We all think about love, aging and where our society is going. These are everyday subjects, but very meaningful and inspiring. I want to share these thoughts in my work.”
Thijs pursues to continuously explore the possibilities of working with various materials such as wood and plexiglass and (stained glass).
The time is NOW - Stained glass artwork made for Grasnapolsky Art & Music festival. Every year they choose a theme for Grasnapolsky. This year’s theme was ‘light’. The need to keep going. Continue until the light to be exact. By means of iconography, graphic forms etc. I tell a story that is about the future, the state of the world, nightlife but also the concept of time. No time to waste!
100 x 200 cm
Stained glass, wooden frame
New Message - The triptich stained-glass work tells a story about the past, present and future of digital technology and how we deal with it.
130 x 85 cm
Stained glass, wooden frame, LED light
Portal - Portal
For the Light it Up project, Thijs makes a number of stained glass works that are displayed in various (care) institutions. I want to push the boundaries of the age-old craft of stained glass with innovative techniques and contemporary designs. The narrative part in this work is very important. By means of iconography, graphic forms etc. I tell a story that is about perspective, the future but also mortality.
90 x 90 cm
Stained glass, wooden frame
Transmitter - Inspired by traditional stained glass-windows, Thijs has researched working with plexiglass and wood to make a modern version of stained glass-windows. All parts are laser cut and put together manually in a tailormade frame.
The imagery is inspired by the current state of the world. Blame the bat?
Size
48,5 * 48,5 cm
Blind Spot - Inspired by traditional stained glass-windows, Thijs has researched working with plexiglass and wood to make a modern version of stained glass-windows. All parts are laser cut and put together manually in a tailormade frame by Thijs himself.
Blind Spot is a big stained glass window that was on display on Big Art last year. Its iconography shows both the dark and light-footed side of life and calls for conversation. The longer you look at the work, the more visual components you discover.
150 cm * 150 cm
Sound Bombing - I was invited to participate the exhibition ‘Bigger Than’. More than 30 artists exhibit their own vision on Hip Hop at Enfant Terrible gallery/ shop.
The work is a multi layered wooden artwork with gold plexiglass details. It’s laser cut and manually assembled by myself.
It’s inspired by the legendary Soundbombing II (the second installment in Rawkus Records’ Soundbombing compilation series).
Alles is samen in Afri - Typographic painting on the fence of the Afrikaanderpark, which offers a different message from different perspectives (lenticulair).
‘Alles is samen in Afri’ – Everything is together in Afri
Although the space to be painted is very limited, Kelder made creative use of the fact that each bar has several surfaces. The three surfaces that are visible from the outside each have their own design. As a result, viewed from the left corner, the words “Alles is” can be read, whoever walks to the right of the fence sees the word “Samen”, and the text “In Afri” is read from the front. “Alles is samen in Afri” refers to the multicultural Afrikaanderwijk. And to the market that takes place here twice a week, where a large part of Rotterdam South literally converges.
