Roeland van der Kley

Roeland van der Kley (1960–2023) painted stories in which reality, imagination and the distinct character of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen come together. His work is associated with magic realism: recognisable scenes take on an unexpected character, sometimes humorous, sometimes subtly unsettling. Although he grew up in Breda, Roeland felt a strong connection with Zeeuws-Vlaanderen from an early age. He later settled in Mauritsfort near Hoek, where the landscape, open skies and local stories became a lasting source of inspiration. His paintings feature striking figures, historical references and scenes that feel like theatrical moments frozen in time. Roeland worked with great craftsmanship and a keen sense of composition and atmosphere. His paintings invite the viewer to look longer: behind the first impression, there is often humour, tension or a story that does not reveal itself immediately. He aptly described his own work as ‘theatre on canvas’. In addition to painting, Roeland also worked as a draughtsman and graphic artist. In his later work, he increasingly connected visual art with stories from Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, including De drieling van Terhole and the triptych he created in honour of Mathilde Willink. He left behind a distinctive body of work in which craftsmanship, imagination and love for the region are inseparably intertwined.

format:  90 x 90 cm

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