Exhibition ‘Cremer Northward 2010-2020’
Jan Cremer (1940) has been painting his adventurous life with words and brushes for some 65 years. From June 1, Museum JAN will be exhibiting a large selection of monumental seascapes that Cremer has painted over the past ten years. Never before have these works been brought together in an exhibition. "Cremer Noordwaarts 2010-2020" combines these recent canvases with his photographs from trips to Mongolia and Greenland, among other places.
Monumental seascapes
In his studio in Umbria, Jan Cremer captures memories of the time he sailed the world's oceans to the north. Cremer: "I have always longed for the sea. Even as a child. I sailed and wanted to know what lay beyond the horizon. I love storms the most." The voyages made a huge impression on him. In addition to the physically demanding work, the beauty of the vast expanses of water, and the freedom he experienced, there was always the threat of violent nature on board. This can be seen in his meter-high paintings. Usually there is a clear sea with a sky above it, but sometimes there is no horizon, no dividing line, making the canvases almost abstract. Rarely is there a human or sign of human life to be seen in these seascapes. Cremer makes his own oil paint and, as in his early years, applies it largely to the linen or jute with brushes, spatulas, and his hands. In this way, he molds his waves and foam caps into three-dimensional forms that suggest movement and depth. As a viewer, you are drawn into the swirling mass of water; Cremer's seascapes are never rippling or smooth, they are wild and restless, just like the painter and his life itself.
Photography
Cremer not only captured his travels on canvas, but also took countless photographs. In search of new landscapes, he traveled to regions such as Mongolia, Siberia, and Greenland. He recorded his travel experiences in more than 20,000 photographs. Some of these are on display for the first time in this exhibition.
© Cremer, North Cape III, 2017, oil on canvas, Pictoright Amsterdam 2020
Catalog
The exhibition is accompanied by a catalog published by Waanders Publishers. You can order the book online from Waanders & De Kunst.
Video
