Tjalling Visser

Tjalling Visser (Utrecht, 1980) explores the phenomenon of ‘playing’ as an intrinsic part of his art and artistry. His sculptures and installations, mostly built from battered toy parts, are characterized by the temporariness of their existence. Over time, complete sculptures may be expanded to become installations, only to be dismantled again to create separate elements that can then be re-used in new sculptures. In this working process, Visser disconnects his materials from their original context and the materials themselves become decisive for the way they are used. The playful spontaneity in this process, is also indicative of the way the artist wants the viewer to approach and interpret his work. By using recognizable elements that immediately trigger associations and memories, he invites the viewer to become part of the work and play along. Looking carefully at Visser’s work, it becomes clear that it doesn’t suffice to speak of an ‘element of play’ or playfulness in his work: playing is key to his artistic process.

BA in Fine Arts, Willem de Kooning Academy of Art 1998 - 2002

2021 Dordt Verbeeldt, SBK, Dordrecht, NL
2021 Stad in beeld, beeld in park, Dordrecht, NL
2020 I♥Dordt, group exhibition, Dordrechts Museum, Dordrecht, NL
2020 Zomersymfonie Park Merwestein, Dordrecht, NL (postponed)
2019 Salon d'Hiver, ZERP Galerie, Rotterdam, NL
2019 Project “Inclusion, hype or hope?”, Pictura, Dordrecht, NL
2019 Open Atelierroute Dordrecht 2019, Dordrecht, NL
2018 'Playing Fields', group exhibition, ZERP Galerie, Rotterdam, NL
2018 BeWarehouse of Art, group exhibition, Bergen, NL
2017 Salon d'Hiver, ZERP Galerie, Rotterdam, NL
2017 PAN Amsterdam, ZERP Galerie, Amsterdam, NL
2017 Kunstmoment Diepenheim, solo exhibition, Diepenheim, NL
2016 Eldorado 3000 'Neck of the Woods', group exhibition, Rotterdam, NL
2016 'Happily Ever After', ZERP Galerie, group exhibition, Rotterdam, NL
2015 'Behind the Painted Smile', ZERP Galerie, Rotterdam, NL

2014 Eldorado 3000 'A promise of a future', Rotterdam, NL

2014 'Sharp / Square / Sacred', ZERP Galerie, Rotterdam, NL

2014 AM de Jongmuseum, solo exhibition, Nieuw-Vossemeer, NL

2013 Salon ZERP, group exhibition, ZERP Galerie, Rotterdam, NL

2013 'Symbiosis', group exhibition, ZERP Galerie, Rotterdam, NL

2012 Art at RedLight, Nieuwe Kerk, group exhi...