Robert Schuurmans Stekhoven

Ever since his time at the art and design academy (St-Joost Breda) Robert Schuurmans Stekhoven has been concerned with power and control. At the academy he studied publicity and multimedia design. One time (1984) he went to East Germany with the group. The repression that he encountered there, in combination with many books, serves as his source of inspiration. His drawings are broad interpretations of this thematic; some describe the interpersonal relationship between two people and others the relations between two states. His goal is to visualize the power structures and forces at play.

“Strangely enough I discovered that power can hardly be found in prehistoric times; up until the Neolithic, when the first cities (Uruk) appeared in Mesopotamia. The exercise of power on others is almost certainly a cultural phenomenon, as is property.”

“There also is a personal element to my fascination with power, but I won't go into that too much. All I can say is that I see that some people have a lot of influence over others, intimidate them. In reverse, a group can intimidate a loner and see that he adapts.”

“I am now trying to put all these matters on paper in a kind of abstract play of forces. From the response and personal messag...

Academy for art and design St. Joost, Breda (Netherlands) 1981-1986

2018: Exhibition in 'De Rozet', Rozenburg-Rotterdam (NL)
2019: 'Kunst Verbindt', Rozenburg-Rotterdam (NL)
2019: Artspace: Neck of the Woods, Rotterdam (NL). 3th & 5th Intervention Taskscaping Alterism.
2020: De Aanschouw, Rotterdam (NL). Installation mixed media: Monument for the dismissed workers.
2020: 'Kunst Verbindt 2021', Rozenburg-Rotterdam (NL).
2021: 'Publieke Werken' (Public Works) in the Maastunnel in Rotterdam and on the Maasboulevard in the city, from 1 July to 1 August 2021.
2021: ’Diversiteity in Art’. Exposition of Kunstenaarscollectief Karmijn, from 2 july to 4 july during Art Rotterdam.
2021: Kunstroute Kralingen/Crooswijk (Rotterdam). Participant group exhibition 2 & 3 october.
2021: 'Kunst verbindt 2021.' Rozenburg-Rotterdam. Group exhibition.
2022: 'ZERO ZERO II (groupexhibition). Eye Love You Artspace, Rotterdam. From march 5 to april 15.
2022: 'Art at the Bouwhuis' (group exhibition). 15 may until mid-August 2022, Het Bouwhuis
Kleine Overstraat 17, Deventer (??)
Email: art@hetbouwhuis.net
- 2022: Event/exhibition 'Lines connecting the dots' Eye love you Artspace, Rotterdam. Work in progress as artist in action during this event.
- 2022 Exhibition: 'Kunst verbindt', Rozenburg-Rotterdam.
- 2022-2023 Exhibition...