Once Ruben discovered that truth does not organize herself in a linear fashion, he began to search for her in the continuous line that is circular motion. Mysteriously, in the instant that the fully resolved form appears on his lathe, a piece of truth is encapsulated. It remains in the work itself. Which, from that moment onward will lead a life of its own. A life with its new owner, wherever they may journey.

Why did Ruben start turning wood? He cannot provide an exact answer. Once the introduction had been made it happened by gut feeling. Maybe it was the direct contact with the material, the immediacy of creating a form in the current moment, the unending expression of the circle, or the vitality behind its propulsion... Certainly, the excitement that is distilled by focused attention as the sharp edge of the gouge is introduced to the fast spinning wood must play a role too.

After the tools remove what is not necessary, what remains are round forms, in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Sculptures with a minimal and yet powerful appearances. Whether painted or left natural, every piece made from a single piece of wood. All born from a search for truth.

Shortly said: Ruben van der Scheer is fascinated by the power and never-ending nature of the circle. Made using a lathe, his minimalistic objects invite the viewer to touch and caress. At the same time, his designs may evoke contemplation. In this way, Ruben’s forms nullify the biases of craft and art.

Expositions

2024
Object, Design, fashion, architecture and craft. Rotterdam. Febuary.


2023 
Sept: Glue, Amsterdam

Juli – sept: duo exposition with Maartje van den Noort @ katoendrukkerij/ de Volmolen, Amersfoort

0000 Vertrekpunt nul, II, contemporay minimalism. Group exposition, Ravenstein

Object, On the cutting edge of design art, fashion, architecture and crafts, Rotterdam

2022
Minim.al, longing for Donald Judd. Museum Icoon. Group expostion, Hoek van Holland

0000 Vertrekpunt nul, contemporay minimalism. Group exposition at De Ploegh, Amersfoort

Duo exposition with Maartje van den Noort. Amersfoort

Vreemde gasten. Bianual art manifestation. Amersfoort

Maison et Objet. Participating with European Craft Council. Paris

Art[s]Gallery Simone Jansen, group exposition. Noordwijk.

Object, On the cutting edge of design art, fashion, architecture  and crafts, Rotterdam

2021
Winter fatigue, group exhibition, Het Archief, Rotterdam

Oog in oog met Klimt, Object made in collaboration with Bas van Beek, Van Abbe Museum, Eindhoven

2020
De zielenroerselen van de kunstenaar, group exhibition, Rietveldpaviljoen, Amersfoort

75 jaar de Ploegh, group exhibition, gallery de Ploegh, Amersfoort

HOW&WOW linen, group exhibition, Craft Council Nederland, Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven

The tiny art gallery the hague, group exhibition, Den Haag

Presentation of work, gallery Oode, Amsterdam

Shop window presentation, Restored, Amsterdam

2019
HOW&WOW, group exhibition, Craft Council Nederland, Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven

25 x 25 x 25, group exhibition, Mondriaanhuis, Amersfoort

Exhibitor at Houtfort, Vormgevers in Hout, Bunnik

Wintersalon, group exhibition, gallery de Ploegh, Amersfoort

Hergebruik, group exhibition, gallery de Ploegh, Amersfoort

2018-2019      
Speculatief Design Archief, Presented work with Maria van Kesteren, Het Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam

2018
Wintersalon, group exhibition, gallery de Ploegh, Amersfoort

2017               
Nieuwe leden tentoonstelling, group exhibition, gallery de Ploegh, Amersfoort

2015
Shop window presentation, Restored, Amsterdam

Live demo and presentation, Showup, Vijfhuizen

2014
Exhibitor, Temporary Art Centre (TAC), Dutch Design Week 2014

1boom expositie, group exhibition, Middachten

Presentation of work, gallery Oode, Amsterdam

2012
Cheek chair in group exhibition at VT wonen beurs, Amsterdam

Publications

2024
Visceral Simplicity: The bold work of Ruben van der Scheer. American Woodturner, june 2024. p. 46-51 & cover

2023 
You’ve got mail, Interview mbt Post(c)art, Elle Decoration NL, nr 3 2023, p68

Cyclus van het leven in cirkelvormige objecten, AD regio Amersfoort, 1 april 2023, p15

2022
Post(c)art in Volkskrant Magazine. 26 nov. 2022, p 45

2021
Kunst: Ruben van der Scheer, LFK magazine, edition 15, p124-135

2020
Ruben van der Scheer exposeert in Mondriaanhuis, De Stad Amersfoort

2019
Kunstenaarsgesprek, KM magazine, uitgeverij De Doelenpers, Alkmaar, summer 2019

2014
Artikel/ interview in 1boom boek p.160-163, Stichting Vormgeving in Hout, uitgeverij Blauwdruk, 2014

Longboard, Rubriek MOOI, Volkskrant Magazine, august 2014

2013
Door table in VT wonen magazine, april 2013

Ontwerp Talent, VT wonen magazine, march 2013