The Playful Transformation of the Self

Pieter Kusters, born in 1958, approaches the canvas and the clay with a sense of curiosity that feels almost childlike. He describes his practice through a specific lens: the self-portrait is his starting point, though it rarely remains the final result. His work often moves away from a literal likeness, opting instead for a playful metamorphosis. He is a painter, a printmaker, and a spatial worker who navigates the boundaries between the human form and the objects that surround it.

There is a certain lightness in how Kusters handles his materials. He combines painting, ceramics, and textiles in ways that feel spontaneous and direct. He often uses his own body as a subject, but he does not present it in a traditional manner. Instead, he might appear in his work as an animal—an ape, a dolphin, or a bird—or he might hide behind a large, clumsy ceramic nose attached to a portrait with iron wire. This tendency toward disguise allows him to explore themes of intimacy and vulnerability without the weight of formality.

Materiality and Form

Kusters's work is characterized by a tactile, earthy quality. He frequently moves between two-dimensional surfaces and three-dimensional objects, often blending media to create something entirely new. His explorations often involve:

• The use of ceramics and majolica to create distorted or exaggerated facial features.
• The integration of soft materials like linen, fabric, and thread with hard surfaces like wood and clay.
• The use of everyday items, such as a roll of tape or a specific piece of clothing, to anchor a composition.
• A focus on the tension between the naked body and the protective or restrictive nature of clothing.

In many pieces, he explores the idea of being "uncomfortable" through the use of clothing. He might depict himself in a dress that feels ill-fitting or in undergarments that wrap around the body in unexpected ways. These choices are not meant to create distance; rather, they seem to invite the viewer into a shared, private moment. He navigates the space between the public self and the private body with a sense of ease, using these "disguises" to make the act of being seen feel more approachable.

Artistic Presence and Collections

The physical presence of Kusters's work is often small and intimate, yet it carries a significant weight through its textures. His ability to merge the sculptural with the painterly is evident in his later works, where wood, textile, and ceramics coexist in a single object. This approach allows him to move beyond the flat plane of a painting and into a more complex, spatial reality.

His contributions to contemporary art are held in several notable institutions, including the Centraal Museum in Utrecht and the Noordbrabants Museum in 's-Hertogenbosch. Through these works, Kusters continues to investigate the intersection of the human figure, the animal kingdom, and the objects we use to define ourselves.