Bio
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.
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
2023Sept: 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
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
Education
1999 - 2003Master of Science, Science of human movement, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam
2008 - 2009
Master of Arts, Philosophy, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam
2010 - 2012
Cabinet maker, Hout- en Meubileringsollege, Amsterdam
Courses and schooling
2003-2020A diversity of courses: Group dynamics, Schema Focused therapy, Mentalisation Based Therapy, Impro Theatre, intervision and supervision.
2016-2020
Mentoring by Maria van Kesteren; With a focus on form, design, woodturning, being an artist etc.
2017-2019
Courses in woodturning, Christiaan Jorg, Utrecht and with Ronald Kanne, Wehl
2021
Crafting Business, 8 days on entrepreneurship for makers, Crafts Council Nederland (CCNL)
And further
2022-todayArtist at Post Modern Collection gallery, Amstelveen
2021
Balloting committee, Artists union de Ploegh
2019
Anonimous auction, Dead Darlings, NHI, Rotterdam
2018 – 2019
Internal exposition committee, gallery de Ploegh.
2018
Flash in the pan, Dead Darlings auction, Amsterdam
2017–2022
Member at national artist union de Ploegh, Amersfoort