Arno Sijben
Artist statement:
For me, the making process might be more important than the content. Not randomly or recklessly, but carefully thought out and methodical. My works on paper come about through working in a fragmentary way. When I work on paper, I mainly apply pencil and watercolor in combination with sea salt layer by layer, after which I continue with chalk. To achieve the desired transparency in my work, I use tracing paper. A combination of materials that I have made my own over the past few years. Chance is a good friend, and the original idea or starting composition is not a sacred goal. Everything is aimed at achieving the intended atmosphere. An atmosphere that challenges the viewer to look with their feelings and to be moved.
Content-wise, my work is about my need for light (both in the painterly sense and the sense of lightness), stillness, and reflection in a time where chaos dominates. My work balances between figurative and abstract, meaning both recognizable and mysterious. A thin line where meaning is fluid, emptiness is palpable, and emotions of comfort, tenderness, and melancholy are evoked.
Selection 30 x 30 x 30 2026
Selection 30 x 30 x 30 2025
CV
Exhibitions (selection last 5 years)
2026 Limburgbiennale Marres, Maastricht. (G)
2026 ‘Ruimte en intimiteit’, Galerie Mestriner, Noorbeek. (G)
2026 ‘Voorbij het zichtbare’, Galerie Joli, Urmond.
2026 ‘Het staat gedrukt’, kunst uit de kunstcollectie van Zuyderland. (G)
2026 SuperSam, Mariastraat Maastricht (G)
2026 30-30-30 Marieke Severens Galerie (Curator Roy Voragen), Maastricht. (G)
2025 Artsingel 100 in Amsterdam. Drawing Cabinet (Teken Kabinet) XIII. (G)
2025 Amuse by Galerie Wilms in Venlo in collaboration with Kunstcentrum Haarlem. (G)
2025 Ainsi ‘Open atelier days’, 2025, guest artist. (G)
2025 Super-Sam, Maastricht. (G)
2024 ‘Garden of Dreams’, Winter, Galerie Toonzaal 11, Stein (G)
2024 Artsingel 100, i.c.w. tekenkabinet XII
2024 ‘Garden of Dreams’, Galerie Toonzaal 11, Stein (G)
2024 Amuse, Galerie Wilms, Venlo. (G)
2024 Tekenkabinet X||, Galerie BMB, Amsterdam (G)
2023 Kopermolen Vaals Duo exhibition with Nikki Plelaez (D)
2023 Is getekend, drawings from the art collection Zuyderland. Zuyderland Heerlen. (G)
2023 Artsingel100, i.c.w. tekenkabinet XI in Amsterdam (G)
2023 Guest artist at Openatelier AINSI, Maastricht (G)
2023 “Tekenkabinet XI BMB space in Amsterdam (G)
2022 ‘Le sentiment du vide’, duo exhibition with Marie-Josee Comello, Urmond (D)
2022 ‘Het staat gedrukt’, Zuyderland MC (G)
2022 Landscape 2. 1 Museum de Domijnen, Sittard/Geleen (G)
2022 ‘Amuse’ Kunstrai, Galerie Wilms. (G)
2021 Landscape 2.0 Museum de Domijnen, Sittard/Geleen. (G)
2021 ‘Amuse’ Kunstrai, Galerie Wilms. (G)
Work in corporate collections
Art loan Bonnefantenmuseum
Provinciehuis Limburg Art-collection
Zuyderland artcollection
Dela-artcollection
Atrium MC
