Herbert Nouwens

From 1985 Herbert Nouwens worked almost exclusively in steel, after a solid classical training at the City Academy and a post-academic training at the Jan van Eijk Academy, both in Maastricht. His preference for steel has to do with the great plastic and constructive possibilities of that material, he can use it to express what fascinates him the most: extreme contrasts, apparent weightlessness, large volumes, which can sometimes be very transparent.

Steel suits his associative way of working, suits the necessary and constant dialogue between creator and material during the creation process. He translates his impressions into forms according to the basic principles of classical sculpture. But within that classical tradition, Nouwens has managed to develop his own design language.

He finds it a challenge to create work for a specific place. The work redefines the place.







An observation by a fellow artist is enlightening in this regard:

“When I look at those small sculptures of Herbert, I see that those little things in your imagination immediately expand into very large sculptures in the space, where you can live in. If you look at his big sculptures, I get the exact opposite. Then those large sculptures in...

Stadsacadamie Maastricht
Jan van Eijk Academie Maastricht

40 years of exhibitions in The Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, US.

Since 2016 I have a series of 20 large sculptures permanently on view along Brettenpad, a hiking- and bikingtrail starting at Westerpark, Amsterdam.