Van de Bovencamp

Hans Van de Bovenkamp was born and raised in the Netherlands, where he studied architecture. Shortly after his graduation from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, he began showing his pieces in New York. Van de Bovenkamp quickly received recognition for his large scale abstract works that were done in bronze, stainless steel, painted steel, or aluminum. His work is so beautiful and unique that he reicieved many awards. Over his lifetime Van de Bovenkamp's work has been on exhabition in Italy, Lebanon, Venezuela, Switzerland, Canada and was featured in sculpture center shows. Some of his work is also displayed at universities and public gardens and institutes. His varience of size contrasts with clean circles or vertical shapes to accomplish impressive grace. Even the material he uses is a contrast. The sculptures are very feminine and soft, yet they are made out of stainless steel so dense that silverware can be made with it.

Hans Van de Bovenkamp was inspired by Joseph Campbell, the cultural anthropologist. Even though Campbell was a writer and not a sculptor he inspired him because they both had a common interest in mythology. Although Van de Bovenkamp is a serious sculptor, he makes his work seem fun. An example of this is his “cock a doodle doo”. Even without knowing the name you can immediately tell from the sculptures characteristics that it is a rooster. This sculpture is in reference to Van de Bovenkamp's pet rooster.

Hans Van de Bovenkamp has been an ispiration to other sculptors. One such is Travis Tuck. Even though they are in different era's they were both sculptors. Travis Tuck was made famous for his weather vanes. Like Van de Bovenkamp he also used stainless steel because of its density and reflectin of light, both from the sun and moon. Each of these sculptors Van de Bovenkamp and Tuck, struck out on their own early in their career's to make a name for themselves.

Hans Van de Bovenkamp has done many exhibitions, although...