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Born 1938 in Rotterdam. Theo Voorzaat is a typical, highly talented selfmade painter, very representative for contemporary realists. Before painting was his main occupation in life, he worked at various odd jobs, such as a truck driver, postman and letterpainter. He has never quite got used to the sudden public success and admiration which he has enjoyed since then. He travelled throughout the European continent, exploring the picturesque relics of recent Western civilisation, without, however, scorning the humble derelict shed which often inspires him to paintings of a rare magical atmosphere, in which a hovering sphere or similar symbol represents the ineluctable progress of technology and the resulting profound social disruption, Such spheres form no immediate threat to the romantic atmosphere of the painting, but convey an extra dimension to it. The process of natural decay seems to fascinate the painter deeply. If he had his say, demolition and restoration would be outlawed. What has been brought about by time, wheather and wind, no man should tear apart. But reality is different. Often, if not to say nearly always, he has to hurry and complete a painting before the building which has inspired the picture is torn down. Often, the ball and hammer of the demolition company are quicker than he is, leaving him with an only rough sketch from which to work. It is by no means the intention of Theo Voorzaat to play the role of prophet of doom, for he finds so much joy in painting as an occupation. This may seem a contradiction when viewing the paintings, but it is rather that sometimes, the child takes over from the adult and speaks the truth.
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"A Gesture in Zierikzee" 1994  Theo Voorzaat portraying himself in his painting "The Imperturbable Painter" 1986 (detail) |
Exhibitions
1973 Galerie Liernur,Den Haag (solo)
1974 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (solo)
1975 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (solo)
1976 Galerie de Fiets, Delft (solo)
1976 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (solo)
1977 Dutch Art Fair, Amsterdam
1977 Gemeenschapshuis, Dreischor (solo)
1978 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (solo)
1979 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (solo)
1979 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam
1980 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam
1980 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (solo)
1981 Art Fair K'81, Utrecht
1981 Art Fair Oudt 's Gravenhaeghe, Den Haag
1982 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam
1982 Art Fair K'82, Utrecht
1982 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (solo)
1982 Art 13'82, Basel, Switzerland
1982 Kunsthandel Albricht, Arnhem (i.s.m. Galerie Lieve Hemel)
1983 Art 14'83, Basel, Switzerland
1984 Galerie Kunstforum, Schelderode, Belgium
1984 Art Fair Galerie '84, Amsterdam
1984 Gebouw d'Eenhoorn, Zierikzee (solo)
1984 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (solo)
1984 Trump Tower/Arras Gallery, New York NY
1985 Trump Tower/Arras Gallery, New York NY (solo)
1985 Hope College, Holland, Michigan, USA
1985 Art Fair Galerie'85, Amsterdam
1986 Contemporary Dutch Realist Painting, Zappeion Hall, Athens, Greece
1986 Westfries Museum, Hoorn
1986 Art Fair Galerie'86, Amsterdam
1986 Figuration Critique, Antwerp, Belgium
1987 Art Fair Galerie'87, Amsterdam
1987 Gebouw d'Eenhoorn, Zierikzee (solo)
1987 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (solo)
1988 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (solo)
1988 Art Fair Galerie'88, Amsterdam
1988 PAN'88 National Art and Antique Fair, RAI, Amsterdam
1989 The European Fine Art Fair, Maastricht
1989 PAN'89, Amsterdam
1990 Michaelskerk, Oosterland
1990 The European Fine Art Fair, Maastricht
1990 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (solo)
1990 PAN'90, Amsterdam
1991 The European Fine Art Fair, Maastricht
1991 PAN'91, Amsterdam
1992 The European Fina Art Fair, Maastricht
1992 Noordhavenpoort, Zierikzee (solo)
1992 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (solo)
1992 PAN'92, Amsterdam
1993 The European Fina Art Fair, Maastricht
1993 PAN'93, Amsterdam
1994 The European Fine Art Fair, Maastricht
1994 Art Fair KunstRAI, Amsterdam
1994 Residence Woonbeurs, Paleis het Loo, Apeldoorn
1995 Art Fair KunstRAI, Amsterdam
1995 Noordhavenpoort, Zierikzee (solo)
1995 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (solo)
1996 Art Fair KunstRAI, Amsterdam
1996 Art Fair KunstRAI, Amsterdam (Galerie Lieve Hemel)
1996 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam
1996 PAN-Amsterdam (Galerie Lieve Hemel)
1997 Noordhavenpoort, Zierikzee (solo)
1997 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (solo)
1997 Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam (Spiegeltje, Spiegeltje aan de Wand...)
1998 KunstRAI, Amsterdam (Galerie Lieve Hemel)
1998 PAN-Amsterdam (Galerie Lieve Hemel)
1998 Virtual Jubilee Exhibition Galerie Lieve Hemel at www.lievehemel.nl
Bibliography.
- "Theo Voorzaat, schilderijen", Koen Nieuwendijk, Galerie Lieve Hemel
Editions, Amsterdam 1982.
- The Refined Image, Aspects of Dutch New Realist Painting,
Galerie Lieve Hemel Editions, Amsterdam 1985
- Kleine Formaten (cat.), Amsterdam, 1994
- Met Engelengeduld, 25 jaar Galerie Lieve Hemel, Amsterdam, 1995
(The Patience of a Saint-Mit Engelsgeduld-Une Patience d'Ange)
(A survey of articles and reviews to be added)
Collections (among others)
Barbizon Plaza, Amsterdam
Nijmeegs Museum Commanderie van St. Jan, Nijmegen
Forbes Magazine, New York NY
Audax Groep, Gilzen