Michael Bom

abstract - Licht - schilderen - natuur - sculptuur

Natural phenomena, with its rhythms and movements are often the starting point for his work. An important theme for him is the sea. Here nature appears in its simplest, essential, unchanging form. The sea is never twice the same, but still remains the same. During his observations, there are moments that he describes as 'magical'. The energy of such a magical moment inspires him to create new works.

Abstraction in motion
Michael works across different mediums in which he explores his interest in reflection, movement and structure. With his print work on flat and static surfaces he uses dots and rhythm and the juxtaposition of layers to achieve abstract impressions of movement. With his analogue machines he expresses himself through a constantly changing movement of interacting surfaces of dots and filters. His goal is to embrace the senses of the viewer, the viewer is never a passive spectator.


Colour in Motion, Dialogues in Space - 2023, 60 x 95 x 10 cm, mixed media object. The work changes in relation to how the viewer observes it.
Time Patterns IV at Art the Hague 2023 - Kinetic object, Steel, perspex, electric motor and wood, 125 x 97 cm, 2021
5 days of rain, monoprint, screen print - Observations of natural phenomena; their rhythms and movements are often the starting point for his work. Working on flat and static surfaces and only employing dots, structure and rhythm and the juxtaposition of layers he creates these visual explorations of movement. On show during On Repetition, Garage, Rotterdam 2023.
Time Patterns - Michael works across different mediums in which he explores his interest in reflection, movement and structure. With his Time Patterns kinetic ‘analogue machines’ he is able to show his observations through a constantly changing movement of dots and filters. Time and space are shown here in a pure dualistic and contrasting movement. In his work the viewer is not a passive spectator. The goal is always to embrace the senses of the viewer which can influence the psychological experience of the work. Kinetic installation 2019, 71 x 92 cm The kinetic optical installation ‘Time Patterns I’ by Michael Bom was been nominated for the seventh place in 6th International André Evard-Art Award by the Kunsthalle Messmer in Germany. The Kunsthalle Messmer will be awarding one of the world’s most important art prizes in the field of concrete-constructive art. The work of the nominated artists can be seen in the museum from 3 December 2021 – 27 February 2022.
Time Patterns II - Kinetic installation 2019, 50 x 100 cm
Moving Images - These optical kinetic light machines conjure up illusions of filmic motion. Basic shapes, rhythms and movements found in nature are recurring themes used in these machines. The works are geometrical and abstract allowing the viewer to interpret the images through an engaging unconscious process. Utilizing movement and optical perception he lets us perceive and experience these natural occurrences in a totally unique way. Due to their mechanical nature these machines also make their own sounds which give an extra dimension to these works. The kinetic optical installation 'Moving Images II' by Rotterdam based artist Michael Bom was nominated for the 5th International André Evard-Art Award by the Kunsthalle Messmer in Germany. For the fifth time, the Kunsthalle Messmer will be awarding one of the world's most important art prizes in the field of concrete-constructive art.
Untitled - Silkscreen, Unique print 2020, 50 x 50 cm
South China Sea - During a long stay on the Chàm Islands just off the coast from Hội An of Vietnam; Michael did a research into the movement of the sea and the reflection of the special light which he observed there. Taking back his sketches and the influences of the local cultural colours. In his studio in Rotterdam he worked out his sketches and made a series of screen prints related to the sea and his memories of the people and culture of the small fishing village where he had stayed in Vietnam.
Movement of colour - In the last couple of months of 2021 Michael Bom has been researching the work of Piet Mondriaan from the period 1908-1915, in which Mondriaan often stayed in the vicinity of Domburg, Zeeland. In this research, Michael has mainly focused on Mondrian's use of color and his methods of depicting rhythm and movement. Michael followed in Mondriaan's footsteps and went to Domburg and other beach towns in Zeeland to experience and observe for himself how these places react on his senses. This led to a variety of new works. Two of which were on show at G126 exhibition space in Rotterdam. ‘The surface of things gives delight, their inwardness gives life” Piet Mondrian, Notebooks 1912-14
The Colour of Space - In 2021 Michael Bom set up a research project focusing on the work of Piet Mondrian. He focused, among other things, on the period 1932-1944 in which the use of primary colours, contrast and rhythm played an essential role in the spatial experience of Mondrian's work. Michael Bom created a number of new works using his own original color palette, giving his own interpretation to the work of Piet Mondrian.