Artist Statement | andreprinsloosculpt

Artist’s Statement

The creation of my sculptures is a deeply personal act that arises from within my subconscious, often without much conscious thought. Verbal communication, particularly with strangers, doesn't come naturally to me, so sculpture—like music—has become my universal language. In the act of creation, I converse with myself, using it as a way to explore and express my inner emotions.

There are many ways to begin a sculpture. Movement is often the initial spark of inspiration, though recently, a simple stillness—like a yoga pose—has also served as a trigger. As humans, we share common emotions, regardless of background, and the human form has become my preferred means of expression. Extreme poses convey intense emotions, and the figures I create are often androgynous. At the start, rhythm, feeling, and line are the most important elements; only later does the sculpture reveal its gender, often deciding for itself by the end of the process.

Sculpture is inherently intimate—it occupies physical space and invites touch, one of our most fundamental senses. The tactile nature of a sculpture makes it more personal and immediate than other art forms. The duality of bronze as a medium fascinates me: it starts as a hot, liquid substance during casting, and then solidifies into something cold and hard. The sculptor's challenge is to understand and shape the material in a way that invites the viewer to touch, evoking the warmth and softness captured within the work. When a viewer touches my sculpture, I feel that a successful connection has been made, transcending our individual backgrounds.

Unlike a painting or photograph, which has a fixed light source captured by the artist, a sculpture’s lighting changes based on its environment. The surface may be smooth or impressionistic, reflecting light in different ways—soft or hard. A sculpture’s rhythm and form should stand on their own, independent of any added patina. Ideally, I would like my work to naturally age and develop its own character over time, but in a society of instant gratification, the use of chemical patinas is more common.

Just as no two people are alike, no two sculptures are identical, even if they are part of an edition. The lost-wax casting process ensures that each work is unique.

Enough said about my approach—let the work speak for itself.