Karel Vreeburg finds a dialogue between science and and fine art.

When artists think of mathematics, they rarely think about beauty. When mathematicians think of beauty, they do not necessarily think of art. Mr. Vreeburg understands and, with great enthusiasm, appreciates both. In his sculptures, the beauty of mathematics and the natural beauty of his chosen material, typically stone or concrete, combine in a way that grabs all viewers attention…and makes other sculptors stop and ponder. Science and stone have never looked so strong and absolute.

The balance of form and material is very delicate, and Mr. Vreeburg navigates and balances his ideas in a way that defines the principle , the material and the final object. He does this by never loosing focus of the essence of the three most important aspects of fine art: understanding the nature of the materials used, understanding and developing creative techniques and skills to their highest level, and having, and holding strong, to the concept behind the work by not leaving any ambiguity when complete. This may sound very easy to do in written form, but when faced with a large, jagged piece of marble, the balance of concept, material and skill is not always so easy to define and stay true to. Mr. Vreeburg understands this, and with his natural curiosity to form and composition, makes his balances and choices seem effortless. That jagged piece of marble is transformed into a weightless cloud containing a mobius strip or other scientific truth. What should not combine does in Mr. Vreeburg’s work and is transformed into something completely new and full of visual luster.

As we continue into the 21st century, we find so much art based upon new technologies and momentary thoughts that may, or may not, stand the test of time. Mr. Vreeburg has taken one of the most primitive of skills, carving stone, and has raised it to a level of artistry easily equal to the mastery of material and engineering of the Eqyptians, Greeks and Romans…and yet, through their purity and grace, his sculptures say much about the contemporary, complex and turbulent time in which they are born into.

Karel Vreeburg asks us to find beauty in truth and contemplation in the natural.

Paul Lorenz
MFA Instructor, Fine Art
Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California

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