Over the past 25 years, Hans Steffelaar has built up an impressive oeuvre, which is known among a small circle of enthusiasts. In relative isolation he works on his impressive canvases in his studio near Bornebroek in Twente. Given the consistent quality of his work, it is almost unbelievable that Steffelaar is not better known among the national and international art public.
Hans Steffelaar was born in 1940 into a family where academic studies for the children were taken for granted. He studied medicine and became a surgeon. He worked in Almelo from 1976 to 2005, of which 60% of the last 17 years in order to be able to devote more time to his work as a painter.
He received his formal art training from Loek Peletier and Kees Stoop and attended the AKI art academy (Enschede) from 1988-1992. Hans Steffelaar has now painted a mature oeuvre that testifies to craftsmanship and a good eye for detail and materials. His work has been shown in various exhibitions in the east of the country.
His paintings are characterized by an impressive drama - not a feat of strength but sensitive testimonies of a world that is crumbling.
Everything in his work has a heavy materiality, whether it is a rocky landscape, reedlands, gravestones or an unrolled piece of gauze. The drama lies in the matter that wears out naturally and is otherwise affected by violence. Steffelaar has a special way of looking that does not become dull. His worldview may not be cheerful, but it is full of light, nuance and softness.
A world in which sadness and longing have found a place.
Hans Steffelaar had his first major solo museum exhibition at the Rijksmuseum Twenthe from October 18, 2015 to March 27, 2016 under the title “We Won.”
(Text courtesy of Rob Smolders, Wim Izaks foundation, Tricot Winterswijk art center, Rijksmuseum Twenthe)
