Lars van Wieren - Double the Distance
About this activity.
In the solo exhibition Double the Distance by visual artist Lars van Wieren (1994), predominantly paintings from 2025 will be presented, complemented by a selection of new, never-before-seen works.
Van Wieren's paintings stand out due to their lively brushstrokes, bright colors, and spontaneous brushwork, creating a strong narrative atmosphere. His work features figures that seem to come from another time, often historical figures such as Toulouse-Lautrec, Matisse, and Houdini. They are chosen based on Van Wieren's personal fascination and interest, and primarily serve as a starting point for his painting process. The recognizability of these figures plays a secondary role for Van Wieren, but by placing them in a new context of atmosphere and composition, they influence both the illusion and interpretation of the new representation.
Painting Technique and Materials
Van Wieren uses a unique painting material: handmade glue paint made from pigment, animal glue, and water. This mixture is heated and applied directly onto the canvas. The paint solidifies quickly upon contact with the canvas, forcing the artist to work in a direct and intuitive manner. The result is a matte, smooth, and sometimes grainy texture that engages in dialogue with the untreated areas of the canvas. This technique contributes to the spontaneous appearance of his work, while simultaneously introducing risks and tension that encourage Van Wieren to experiment and pursue unattainable goals.
Double the Distance
The title of the exhibition refers to the process of creating distance, both literally and figuratively. The ‘doubling’ of distance can either blur or sharpen an image. Van Wieren plays with different interpretations of stories and figures, allowing the viewer space to approach the work from various perspectives.
The title also refers to the painting process itself, where he often uses a mirror to literally create a physical distance and view the work from another standpoint with a sharper gaze.
About the Exhibition
In Double the Distance, Van Wieren explores how a new story can emerge depending on perspective and context. His work invites the viewer to step into the image and explore the interpretation of the story, with the openness and casualness in his paintings creating a direct connection with the observer.
About the Artist
Lars van Wieren (Coevorden, 1994) graduated in 2016 from ArtEZ Zwolle. He lives and works in Zwolle.
Museum Belvédère.
Location.
Afslag BLV
Minckelersstraat 11
8442 CE Heerenveen
www.museumbelvedere.nl/nl/