Page 4 - Jan Peter van Opheusen Exhibition Bali 2014

Salam Budaya I first became acquainted with Dutch
artist Jan Peter van Opheusden (b. 1941 Eind-
hoven, the Netherlands) through his books
For the Agung Rai Museum of Art being entrusted as an exhibition venue of esteem on that beautifully depict his creative gifts.
the island of Bali is a great honor. We feel particularly fortunate this year to be able His character was then affectionately
to showcase a selection of artworks by Mr. Jan Peter van Opheusden, allowing us to brought to life via the words from a kind
share in his consistent creativity, vitality and artistic ideals that have earned him a
great deal of popularity. Until recently, however, Jan Peter the
person remained an enigma - a figment of
my imagination.
We trust that the exhibition at the ARMA Museum will be full of astonishing phenom-
ena, attracting not only a lot of visitors as tourists, but also members of the domestic From my initial appraisals of his raw, yet
and international art communities. honest paintings I could sense Jan Peter is
a conduit of creativity, pure and uninhib-
It was during a recent presentation of Jan Peters artworks in Maastricht, Holland,
when by coincidence we met with the Indonesian Ambassador to Holland, Ibu Retno. We inhabit an extraordinarily rich visual
Ibu Retno expressed great interest in wishing to expose these highly attractive plane that tantalizes and beguiles the eye.
Abundant in textures, color and form. Yet
artworks to Indonesia, and how that could be made possible. this abundance often encourages decep-
The artist was not hesitant at all to exhibit his works overseas, and this is a blessing Feelings and emotions on the other hand
can reveal another story, another inter-
A gung R ai indeed! ARMA would like to thank Ibu Retno for her support in helping to bring this R ichard H orstman pretation of reality.
exhibition to life at ARMA Museum, Bali Indonesia.
Founder of ARMA Ubud Bali 2014
We also want to thank the Erasmus Huis for their generous contribution, making it harmonious nature of our existence that
possible to bring the work of Jan Peter van Opheusden to Indonesia. we attract events and people to us, for
Through this exhibition we at ARMA believe we will create, not only a strong partner- Some time after I wrote these words I had
ship between the Museum and the artist himself, yet also with the Indonesian public. We my first opportunity to experience Jan
Peters paintings at the Agung Rai Museum
endeavor to provide a rich source of modern aesthetic inspiration, encouraging
greater understanding of the contemporary art world, with its myriads of symbols a revelation. Soon after I had my first
and associated meanings. And by doing so consolidating the role ARMA plays in the meeting with the man.
promotion and appreciation for the fine arts, along with its future development.
During his long career as an artist Jan
Peter has explored the artistic genres of
We wish to express our appreciation for those who have assisted in making this exhibi- the figurative, erotic, mythological,
tion possible. It is our sincere hope that the event will prove to be beneficial to all Asian, Balinese culture, European art and
sculpture. Via his art he ventures deep
parties involved. And of course we would like to express our special thanks to Mr. Jan into the core of love, life and nature
Peter van Opheusden. Congratulations! seeking its eternal perceptions. Music and
theater are also themes he engages,
comedy and festivals, - humor is a power-
His works are rich in information, power-
fully suggestive and abound with modern
art references. They are a celebration of
life serving to feed our imagination.
Jan Peter at times works with gold leaf
building texture while allowing the
unique aesthetics to add to the dynamics
lines sparingly with color in gesture
Mysterious, even primitive elements may
-
ences he uses his works can manifest
purely as color in poetic motion.
is us the observer and the power of imagi-
nation that makes the painting.
Best not to try, as it can be difficult, even
futile to match words to depth and
thrust of emotional responses we may
experience when interacting with his
-
gence to communicate the innate essence
we have no need for intellectual compre-
Jan Peter does not categorize himself other
than as a creative being, a lover of color
refuses to consume time explaining his
paintings, I make paintings, he says
without care, or a sense of responsibility
to have to add more. If questioned how
long it takes to complete a work, A life-
time, is his answer, equally as short, as
well as profound. I dont need inspiration,
I need perspiration, he states when
is a wise and gentle soul, unassuming, with
a twinkle in his eye.
Emotion pours from Jan Peters paintings,
they reveal something greater than what
volumes we cannot hear, yet it summons us
to confirm the truth we can only feel.
The universe is an infinite and mystical
playground for the imagination. The gift
of a free and open mind allows for the
magical, beautiful and the fantastic.