Ben Rikken

Ben Rikken

Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands

About Ben Rikken

Ben Rikken (1951) After graduating from Minerva Academy in Groningen, Rikken made several study trips through Europe. During these trips he learned how to portray the various European landscapes on canvas. Rikken paints according to 19th-century principles. Entirely in the tradition of the first Impressionists, he works outdoors as much as possible. He creates small preliminary studies ‘en plein air’ and works them out into the final painting in his studio. This method of working enables Rikken to capture the light, atmosphere and scenery in its purest form. The unusual perspective and the often intense colours demonstrate that Rikken is a child of his times, despite his admiration for the Old Masters. Light and colour are perhaps the most important elements in the work of artist Ben Rikken. These visual resources play an essential role in his landscapes as well as in his still lifes. In Latte – Bloeiende Cypres (Latte – Flowering Cypress), Rikken manages to capture the sweep of the sea in a remarkable way by means of loose brushstrokes. The addition of colour gives an extra dimension to what seems to be a figurative painting at first sight. The Mediterranean light is of the utmost importance in this work.

Education:

Minerva Scool of Arts,Groningen ( the Netherlands ) Master Fine Arts, Painting and Drawing,1972-1979.

Events:

jubilee exhibition, 30 years of landscape painting.throughout Europe: Holland, France, Cornwall, Norway( Northcape) Italy
30 landscapes,for every year a paiting
27 august/18 september 2016.
Please visit the whole exhibition at my website :
http://www.benrikken.nl/jubileumtentoonstelling

Exhibitions:

Curriculum Vitae Ben Rikken ( Grevenbicht Nl , 1951 )


– Academie Minerva in Groningen, Master Degree Teaching , Painting and Drawing 1972-1975), Master Degree Painting and graphics ( 1975-1979 )

-1995-2014 Private teaching in painting

-2006-2007 Teacher Classical Academy in Groningen, Portrait and model

-2007-2008 Teacher Classical Academy in Groningen, Colour and colourapplication

From 1978 until now, several trips to among others France, Italy, Poland, Norway Cornwall .Lived in Italy from 2002-2003 .

Ben Rikken works and lives in Groningen

Exhibitions ( solo and group )


2015 “ Realism 2015 “ Art Fair at the Passengers terminal Amsterdam

2013 Art Fair The PAN, Passengers Terminal Amsterdam : www.pan.nl

2012 Kunstzaal Van Heijningen The Hague With Peter Durieux and Renze Dijkema

2012 Dutch Magic Realism : Past toward Contemporary .Museum of Art Seoul National University, in collaboration with ING Management

2012 “The colour of Water “ Zuiderzeemuseum in Enkhuizen in collaboration with ING Management and Zuiderzeemuseum

2011 Solo exhibition Galerie Wildevuur at the occasion of my 60 th birthday

2009 Galery Art Mix Antwerp, with Jan Swaan and Philippe Brodsky

2004 Painted Reality Contemporary Dutch Figurative Art from the collections of the Drents Museum and ING bank, National Museum in Krakau ( Poland )

2004 Solo at Galery Mokum, Amsterdam

2003 Ben Rikken / Light, solo revieuw at the Drents Museum in Assen , including catalogue

2003 De ontmoeting ( The Meeting ) from the collections of ING bank, Drents Museum and MMKA ( Museum of Modern Art Arnheim )

2002 40 Years Galery Mokum,Frisia Museum Spanbroek , with catalogue

2001 “From Willink towards Helmantel “ : a choice from the ING collection, Drents Museum Assen

2000 “Sebens Choice “, by Piet Sebens ,Museum The Buitenplaats, Eelde , with catalogue

1998 Solo exhibition Mokum Galery Amsterdam

1997 50 Years N. A . M. .Head Office in Assen

1992 Head Office Gasunie in Groningen


Collections his works are in :

Drents Museum,Unilever Nederland B V ,N. A. M., Kadaster Nederland ,sveral private collections


Commisions :

Ms Zuiderdam , in collaboration with Onderneming en Kunst, Amsterdam

Several private portrait commisions

Groupportrait “Vereniging van Handelaren Groningen “


Website : www.benrikken.nl