Jan-Hein Arens

Jan-Hein Arens (Vught, the Netherlands, born September 23, 1974) is a Dutch painter, sculptor and illustrator. He attended the Grafische School Eindhoven from 1992-1996, where he was educated in Graphic Design and illustration. Arens is heavily influenced by COBRA (a European art movement active around 1950), Pop Art and the drawings of his young children.

The work of Arens concentrates on basic human needs and emotions, and by adding different, often strange elements, or placing them out of context the spectator is forced to make up his/her own reason or meaning for the work. Humor and alienation are also common elements in Arens' work.

Technique
Arens' paintings and cast concrete sculptures are usually built up from layers. Often realistic drawings of body parts, such as eyes or mouths, are superimposed onto a base layer of geometric figures. The work is then augmented with thick black lines, text, and paint thrown directly onto the canvas.

Arens' work is notable for combining realistic casual elements with action painting and thick black, drawing like lines. In this way, Pop Art and COBRA are mixed together to create a hierarchy of importance. Elements that are not important at all can even be replaced by plain text.
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Grafische School Eindhoven (graphic design and illustration).

Carré d'Artistes New York - 2020
Carré d'Artistes Amsterdam - 2020
Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam - November 2020

Carré d'Artistes New York - 2019
Carré d'Artistes Amsterdam - 2019
Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam - November 2019

Carré d'Artistes Philadelphia - 2018
Carré d'Artistes Amsterdam - 2018

Carré d'Artistes Philadelphia - 2017
Carré d'Artistes Amsterdam - 2017
Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam - November 2017
CUSP NYC Gallery - group exhibiton - 2017

Het Kunsthuys Gallery - 2016
Carré d'Artistes Amsterdam - 2016
Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam - October 2016

CUSP NYC Gallery - Solo exhibiton - 2015
Carré d'Artistes Amsterdam - 2015
Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam - November 1 2015