Artist's Statement

Dual Realism

Painting a world that is hidden behind what we see of it

I believe we would all benefit from the study of our own perception of reality. I believe that no matter how you see the world, you can always see it in another way that is entirely different, but equally as true as your own view.

As a painter it is not so much a copy of objective reality that I am interested in, but rather our perceived reality in which we make monsters and angels out of things and people who are just minding their own business and are completely being themselves. That is why in making my paintings, drawings and illustrations I apply the techniques of classical realism, magical realism, surrealism and of modern abstraction all together in the same painting. I purposefully don’t want to place my observations in any singular context. Since it is precisely the lack of a coherent framework that often makes our interpretations of the world surprising, confrontational, funny and forces us look at the world and ourselves anew.

About Solko Schalm

Bio

I studied graphic design at the ESAG in Paris and the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam and graduated from the KABK in The Hague in Fine Arts.

Since 1997 I have been living and working in Rotterdam as a painter and illustrator and opened my gallery there since 2004. The gallery moved to the Hoogstraat in 2009 and I organize exhibits, cultural events and painting courses there.

I have specialized in the classical genres of  portraits, landscapes and still lifes, as well as illustration and graphic arts.