During the opening of the Art and Culture Route in Middelburg this year (3 & 4 February 2024), KUNSTHUIS André will also open its doors for the first time. The historic building at Segeersstraat 43 will be transformed into a lively studio and gallery where the beauty of portrait and figurative art takes centre stage. André Romijn, known for his realistic portraits and figurative works that celebrate the female form and spirit, will further furnish the studio in February and select the works that will adorn the walls of this new art house. Visitors can look forward to a rich collection of Romijn’s own works and those of other artists, dating from the 17th century to the present. Especially for this opening weekend, the renowned sculptor Anthon Hoornweg will be a guest at KUNSTHUIS André on Sunday. A number of Anthon’s works will be exhibited throughout the weekend.
Anthon Hoornweg is a master at creating bronze sculptures. He has a large and international circle of art lovers who admire and collect his work. From a young age, Anthon was drawn to owls. Full of character and with refined beauty, he creates these imposing birds in bronze. Not only his owls, but also his bull heads are famous.
Anthon was born and raised in the area around Rotterdam, the place where he still lives and works. His earliest art creations date back to when he was in primary school and made small clay figures.
Later, he took lessons from the renowned sculptor Ru de Gier. From 1965 to 1970, Anthon Hoornweg studied at the Rotterdam Academy of Fine Arts, where he was taught by Arie Teeuwisse, Bram Roth, and Ian Pieters. During these years, he also worked in the studio of Ru de Gier, who taught him the centuries-old technique of the lost-wax method. Anthon has cast his own bronzes.
His sculptures represent human figures, animals such as bronze bulls, or a combination of both, as in his famous Minotaurs from Greek mythology, part man and part bull. His new work evokes the same atmosphere. They are ruins reminiscent of the Roman Empire and made from separate bronze parts. They are complex works that require a lot of craftsmanship.
Winners of the Prix Europa
For several months each year, Anthon is involved in the annual major assignment of making bronze bull heads as trophies for the winners of the Prix Europa. This is a European broadcasting festival held annually in Berlin to select the best television, radio, and online productions. Since 1999, Anthon Hoornweg’s bull has been chosen as the symbol for this prestigious award. The symbol represents Europe in the form of a bull’s head. Among the winners of the Prix Europa are big names such as the British BBC presenter and naturalist Sir David Attenborough and director Ingolf Gabold, known for the series The Bridge, The Killing, and Borgen.
“I make the figurines one by one by hand. No two are the same. The bull refers to the mythology of Crete, the island where European culture began long ago. The trophy has the same meaning as the Golden Calf and the Oscar.”
Address
KUNSTHUIS André
Segeersstraat 43
4331 JM Middelburg
Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment.
Also every 1st Sunday of the month from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM during the Middelburg art and culture route.
