The Form of Iron and Space

Thijs van Kimmenade was a sculptor who found his voice through the heavy, unyielding nature of metal. Born in 1946, he grew up in a household where his father, F.G.M.A. van Kimmenade, practiced medicine in Geldrop. This quiet, structured upbringing in the Netherlands provided the backdrop for a life dedicated to the physical properties of material and form.

His formal training began in the mid-sixties at the Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten St Joost. It was here that he first began to explore the language of shape, a pursuit that would eventually lead him across borders. Between 1969 and 1974, he moved to Germany to study at the Staatliche Hochschule für bildende Künste in Kassel. This period in Germany proved fundamental, as it was during these formative years that he developed the foundation for his signature metal chair sculptures.

The Language of Sculpture

Van Kimmenade’s work often dealt with the intersection of utility and abstraction. He was particularly drawn to the concept of the chair, stripping the object of its domestic comfort to focus on its structural essence. Using iron as his primary medium, he created pieces that occupied space with a commanding presence. His work was characterized by:

• The use of iron to create large-scale, unique sculptures.
• A focus on the structural integrity of furniture forms.
• A transition from academic study to international recognition in metalwork.

One of his notable works, a piece titled Stoel created around 1985, reaches a height of 262 cm. This sculpture, made of iron, exemplifies his ability to transform a common household object into a monumental presence. These works were not merely objects to be sat upon, but investigations into how weight and line interact in a three-dimensional environment.

Teaching and Legacy

Beyond his own studio practice, Van Kimmenade contributed to the development of other artists. During the 1990s, he shared his technical knowledge and artistic perspective as a teacher at the Academie voor Beeldende Vorming in Tilburg. This role allowed him to influence a new generation of makers, passing on the lessons learned from his years in both the Netherlands and Germany.

He passed away in 2023, leaving behind a body of work that remains held in private collections and institutional archives. His contribution to sculpture lies in his ability to take the most mundane of objects and, through the weight of iron, turn them into something singular and permanent.