Bert Maurits

It is not surprising that the Haarlem artist Bert Maurits, who already turned out to be a talented draftsman at primary school, after the well-known 13 crafts, eventually went to study at the Hague Art Academy and definitively opted for painting.

When creating his work, he draws from the reservoir of existing painting styles to arrive at a mix that has common ground with expressionism, street art and pop art. Until recently, the reason for a drawing or painting had to produce a recognizable image, but now he also occasionally makes abstract work.

“The essence of painting is that you know how to breathe life into a flat surface”

He is currently working on a series of paintings on old PTT mailbags. These mailbags, which came into his possession by chance, with their rough, jute surface have almost become a trademark of his paintings and prove to be a fertile basis for his art. Many of the visual elements already present on the mail bag, such as texts and dates, are a structural part of his artwork.

The themes for his work and the reason for letting the brushes roll are close to his heart and are often a direct representation of and response to his daily life. It is therefore not surprising that portraits and human figures from his immediate environment appear in his work.

His work is very recognizable and accessible, close to people. The work is powerful, direct and full of emotion.