In the spring of 2021, the mural Stroke3037 was applied to a front facade on Koningsveldestraat by the Rotterdam artist Luuk Bode. It was important that the energy of the painting matched the energy that prevails on the square in front. It is an active place for the adjacent studio building where children play, residents meet and occasionally events are organised. The basis of Bode's design consists of brushstrokes: a reference to making art in the adjacent studio building, where Luuk also has his own studio. The brushstrokes have different signatures, because the various artists create different work in their studios. In addition, the design seems to have an upward movement. This reflects the suggestion of growth. It refers not only to the greenery on the square, but also to the visitors who come there. It is striking that they are of all ages: small children with parents or grandparents, school-age children, young people and adults who meet there or visit the restaurant and the gallery. The use of color is tailored to the environment. It responds to the present, characteristic colors to make a connection. Luuk Bode also wanted to add to the environment with this mural by using colors that were not yet present. Bode says of the mural, “When I was working, I experienced that the abstraction has a stimulating effect on adults and perhaps even more so with children. It was nice to see that the mural has enough appeal because of the clear shapes and colors to arouse interest among a large group of people, not everyone often comes into contact with abstract art. People tend to look for figuration in the image. I've heard many different interpretations, from animals, letters to Fortnite skins and Pokemons. There was a lively discussion among a group of children as to which Pokemon it was.” The painting was created on the initiative of the artist and was made possible by CBK Rotterdam, Murals Inc (production), Wijkraad Liskwartier, Municipality of Rotterdam and Vestia.
The Rotterdam artist Luuk Bode (IJsselstein, 1972) lives and works in the middle of the city. He studied illustration at the Willem de Kooning Academy. His portfolio shows a wide variety of paintings, murals, drawings and sculptures. Throughout his career he developed a strong sense of color and form, which made his work increasingly abstract. Though the reference to his earlier works – featuring iconic cartoonish figures and street art influences – can still be seen in the powerful explosions of form and color he uses today. The contemporary urban landscape serves as an infinite source of inspiration for Bode. He observes and interprets all kinds of shapes in every material: the unpredictable angles of modern skylines, shifting perspectives as you walk through the streets of the city, reflections in the water or the facade of a building and (brand) signs on the road. Tiny details such as remnants of stickers, beautifully shaped pieces of waste and unexpected graffiti also appeal to the artist. The work of modernist painters from the 1960s and 1970s also plays a very important role in his work. For Rotterdam 2007: City of Architecture he made a gigantic painting of approximately 3.500 square meters on the market square of Rotterdam. Together with fellow artists Hans van Bentem, Boris van Berkum and Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk he formed 'De Artoonisten'. In 2002 they created the Marten Shower image.
Abstract painting with 'brush strokes' in black, green, yellow, red, blue
Materials
Paint
Dimensions
5 15 x m
Year
2021
Client
Initiative of the artist
Money source
CBK Rotterdam, Murals Inc (productie), Wijkraad Liskwartier, Gemeente Rotterdam en Vestia
Owner
Property owner
About the artwork
In the spring of 2021, the mural Stroke3037 was applied to a front facade on Koningsveldestraat by the Rotterdam artist Luuk Bode. It was important that the energy of the painting matched the energy that prevails on the square in front. It is an active place for the adjacent studio building where children play, residents meet and occasionally events are organised. The basis of Bode's design consists of brushstrokes: a reference to making art in the adjacent studio building, where Luuk also has his own studio. The brushstrokes have different signatures, because the various artists create different work in their studios. In addition, the design seems to have an upward movement. This reflects the suggestion of growth. It refers not only to the greenery on the square, but also to the visitors who come there. It is striking that they are of all ages: small children with parents or grandparents, school-age children, young people and adults who meet there or visit the restaurant and the gallery. The use of color is tailored to the environment. It responds to the present, characteristic colors to make a connection. Luuk Bode also wanted to add to the environment with this mural by using colors that were not yet present. Bode says of the mural, “When I was working, I experienced that the abstraction has a stimulating effect on adults and perhaps even more so with children. It was nice to see that the mural has enough appeal because of the clear shapes and colors to arouse interest among a large group of people, not everyone often comes into contact with abstract art. People tend to look for figuration in the image. I've heard many different interpretations, from animals, letters to Fortnite skins and Pokemons. There was a lively discussion among a group of children as to which Pokemon it was.” The painting was created on the initiative of the artist and was made possible by CBK Rotterdam, Murals Inc (production), Wijkraad Liskwartier, Municipality of Rotterdam and Vestia.
The Rotterdam artist Luuk Bode (IJsselstein, 1972) lives and works in the middle of the city. He studied illustration at the Willem de Kooning Academy. His portfolio shows a wide variety of paintings, murals, drawings and sculptures. Throughout his career he developed a strong sense of color and form, which made his work increasingly abstract. Though the reference to his earlier works – featuring iconic cartoonish figures and street art influences – can still be seen in the powerful explosions of form and color he uses today. The contemporary urban landscape serves as an infinite source of inspiration for Bode. He observes and interprets all kinds of shapes in every material: the unpredictable angles of modern skylines, shifting perspectives as you walk through the streets of the city, reflections in the water or the facade of a building and (brand) signs on the road. Tiny details such as remnants of stickers, beautifully shaped pieces of waste and unexpected graffiti also appeal to the artist. The work of modernist painters from the 1960s and 1970s also plays a very important role in his work. For Rotterdam 2007: City of Architecture he made a gigantic painting of approximately 3.500 square meters on the market square of Rotterdam. Together with fellow artists Hans van Bentem, Boris van Berkum and Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk he formed 'De Artoonisten'. In 2002 they created the Marten Shower image.
