Jelmer Dijkstra

Jelmer Dijkstra, born in 1952 in the small Dutch village of Scharnegoutum he has never really escaped the wide water riddle landscapes of the north of the Netherlands. Over the past few decades Jelmer has developed a modern realistic painting style capturing the essence of the Dutch landscapes, European city life and its inhabitants. His work mirrors current day society and the forces that collide between nature and men, street and art, canvas and brush.

Raised amongst the world famous waterways of Friesland his paintings of classical Dutch landscapes reflect the beauty of nature. Since much of the Dutch countryside has been cultivated his art also reflects the man made impact on nature. As an artist he likes to push the limits and his work can be seen as a reflection of today’s society and also a protest against unneeded waste. Jelmers work has been featured in galleries, theater projects and outside and inside walls. His original work can be found in private collections and on public property.

In 1980 Jelmer finished a degree in sculpting from the Academie Minerva in the Dutch City of Groningen. His passion besides sculpting has always been making music. When sculpting and playing guitar no longer seemed to agree with each other, he shifting his focus to painting to keep making music. Today those passions are closely intertwined as he plays music and paints to capture emotions, a scene or a person.

Starting out his painting career with portrait painting he has capture many of the characteristic people that live in the north of the Netherlands. Still today he paints portraits selectively and on special request. Since the early 2000`s Jelmer has become increasingly known for his landscapes, city views and murals. Jelmer is what you could consider a modern realistic painter going street artist, with multiple murals to be found in the Netherlands.

Late 2019 Jelmer and his representation moved exclusively to online sales channels as the Covid-19 pandemic prevented attending live art events.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018 – Flora auction, Eelde / the Netherlands
2017 – Health Authority Netherlands Headquarter, Groningen / the Netherlands

GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019 – Pictura Gallery, Limburg / the Netherlands
2015 – Ewsum Exhibition De Borg, Oldenzaal / the Netherlands
2014 – Kunst Route Noord, the Netherlands

PUBLIC WORK
2019 – Mural in Muurstraat, Groningen / the Netherlands
2017 – Mural at the Westerlee School, Groningen / the Netherlands
2015 – Mural Grand Cafe Eendrum, Eenrum / the Netherlands
2014 – Inside Mural, Eenrum / the Netherlands