Wim Reimert

Many years ago, I had the pleasure of giving a talk at the opening of an exhibition. That was not the first time I had the opportunity to say something on such an occasion, but it was the first time it happened at an exhibition where I was also represented. Unlike the two other exhibitors, I was not painting and crafting for a living at that time. For the toppings on the sandwiches, I stood in front of the class, in Haren to be precise, at the International School, and students there who knew that I had a passion for art would sometimes ask me: "Master, what is your theme?" Or rather, since they speak English at the International School: "Mister, what keeps you busy?" I always get a bit annoyed by such a question because, to be honest, I don't need a theme to move forward. However, I do not mean to say that there cannot be a great common denominator distilled from my work. What I want to say is that I do not want to impose any restrictions on myself when choosing a subject, nor on the choice of materials or techniques. The starting point of all my work is always the existing, visible reality for everyone. I want to add something to that existing reality, because: "I see, I see what you do not see." And if I want you to see it too, I will first have to make it visible myself. And that is what I do. It seems to me a beautiful aspiration, and for those who want to call it a theme: fine, nothing against it.

About art and nature, something beautiful has often been said in the past, and one statement in particular has stuck with me. I even used it as a title for a – what I will call – painting-object. The quote comes from Jacob Bronowski, a physicist of Polish origin who later taught biology of human behavior. It goes as follows: "Science is nothing else than the search to discover unity in the wild variety of nature ... Poetry, painting, the arts are the same search." In translation: Natural science is nothing other than the quest for unity in the wild variety of nature ... Poetry, painting, art in general seeks exactly the same. As a physics teacher, I had some right to speak regarding science, and I can relate to that statement. Such a quest for unity I interpret as the search for hidden reality. You could say that scientists and artists like to uncover something. The naked reality and everything behind it exerts a great attraction on them. Compared to scientists, visual artists have the great advantage that they can do violence to the truth in their work because for an artist, the truth does not exist. Only their own truth exists, at least the truth of this moment. Perhaps it will be different again tomorrow.

1970: I was 17 and could choose, physics or visual arts. It became physics, and visual arts temporarily disappeared from view. After my studies, I tried to pass on the enthusiasm for the subject to students at schools in Zambia (from '80 to '86), Overijssel, Friesland, and – since 1989 – the international school in Groningen. I have never regretted my choice. And yet... something gnawed at me. Brother Paul went to art school and is a visual artist in Berlin; sister Irma went to art school and is a visual artist in Groningen. I have given speeches at the opening of their exhibitions several times. I saw what they did, and I began to wonder if I had not...

1996: the admissions committee of the Minerva Academy in Groningen believes that I can be admitted to the program. Practical objections stand in the way of realizing that dream, but fortunately, there are other possibilities in Leeuwarden where sculptor René van der Bruggen and painter Anne Feddema are starting a new course: "Visual shaping. Two- and three-dimensional." Here was finally a stage where I could showcase my art.

2010: Enrolled in the Documentation Center for Visual Arts and Design of Keunstwurk.

2011: Member of FRIA, professional association of visual artists in Northern Netherlands.

2012: Member of the KunstKring Camminghaburen.

2013: Stopped teaching, now a full-time visual artist.

2015: Establishment of the company "Wim Reimert art."

2018: Secretary of FRIA.