“Looking at a work of art is meeting yourself.” Théo
Artistic Style
Artist Théo Schildkamp seeks his inspiration outside of everyday reality and within the images of dream and fantasy. All elements in his paintings are taken from reality, remaining recognizable; however, by removing them from the usual environment and placing them in an unusual context, an alienating effect is created. In this way, he paints realistic-appearing scenes that evoke a mysterious and enigmatic atmosphere, a world between fantasy and reality. His compositions, therefore, show great affinity with surrealism, magical realism, and symbolism. The women who figure in this world are personifications of abstract concepts—those of love, loneliness, decay, impermanence, fate, beauty, or vanitas. They dominate paintings that are full of symbolism, often ironic, sometimes slightly absurd, beautifully narrative, and always aesthetic.
Biography
After graduating from the renowned Academy of Fine Arts in Arnhem, Holland, Théo had a flourishing and successful professional practice as an illustrator, designer, and publicist in his studio in Provence, France. Now back in the Netherlands, he devotes himself entirely to painting. He prefers to paint with acrylics in a figurative, narrative, and symbolic style.
Solo Exhibitions
2023 Mick’s Art Collectief, Emmen, The Netherlands
2022 Théo / Rumi Tree Art Gallery, Sedona AZ, USA
2022 Théo Schildkamp / Galerie H10a, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
2017 Carré d'artistes, Sedona AZ, USA
2014 Théo / Art Choices, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
2013 Théo Schildkamp / Ernst Sillem Hoeve, Lage Vuursche, The Netherlands
2011 Rien que La Femme / La Baume, Sagries, France
2011 Rien que La Femme / Fourcadier, Montpellier, France
2010 Rien que La Femme / Galerie Mignon, Wijk Bij Duurstede, The Netherlands
2010 Rien que La Femme / Galerie Op 90, Enschede, The Netherlands
2001 Go Go / Go Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
1992 Kunst Achterom / Galerie Achterom, Haaksbergen, The Netherlands
1989 Théo / VNO, Den Haag, The Netherlands
1982 Théo Schildkamp / Galerie Acanthus, Maartensdijk, The Netherlands
1981 Nature / Philips Ontspanningscentrum, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
1981 Van Dinosaurus Tot Donald Duck / natural history museums
(travelling exhibition), The Netherlands
1979 Tussen Hemel En Aarde / Natura Docet, Denekamp, The Netherlands
1977 Exhibition Théo Schildkamp / Art Center Ina Broerse, Laren (NH), The Netherlands
1975 Paradijselijk / Galerie Paradijs, Oldenzaal, The Netherlands
1975 Théo Schildkamp / Galerie Duivendrecht, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
1974 Théo Schildkamp / Ausstellung Kreis Coesfeld, Coesfeld, Germany
1974 Facetten / Galerie Facet, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
1974 Théo Schildkamp / Palthehuis, Oldenzaal, The Netherlands
1972 Kunst Rondom / Openbare Bibliotheek, Deventer, The Netherlands
Group Exhibitions
2022 Carré d'artistes Le Touquet, Paris Plage, Le Touquet, France
2021 Carré d'artistes Saint Germain en Laye, Paris, France
2020 Saxton and Schildkamp / Rumi Tree Art Gallery, Sedona AZ, USA
2018 Carré d'artistes Philadelphia, PA, USA
2016 Carré d'artistes, Lisbonne, Portugal
2014 ART International / Maison des Relations Internationales, Montpellier, France
2010 Rien que La Femme / Galerie Beetje Kunst, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
2010 Art en France / Galerie Art en France, Luxeuil Les Bains, France
2010 Adriènne Basse / Domaine L'Adriènne Basse, Coulobres, France
2007 Holland Art / Holland Art Gallery, Luxeuil Les Bains, France
1984 Herfstexpositie / Singer Museum, Laren (NH), The Netherlands
1983 Théo Schildkamp / Galerie 1881, Diepenheim, The Netherlands
1981 Né dans la rue – Graffiti / Galerie 51, Ede, The Netherlands
1973 Twentse Kunstenaars / Rijksmuseum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands