Astrid Van den Bosch (b. 1965) is a Belgian artist whose large-format works are characterized by an abstract and reduced language. She began her artistic career in her forties, after having been passionate about painting all her life.
Van den Bosch’s works are particularly striking for their exploration of color, texture and layering. Her diverse oeuvre includes works with bright, bold colors on the one hand and monochrome surfaces on the other. In this article, I would like to focus on her minimalist collections “Naturals” and “Delicates”. A natural and restrained color palette defines this series, with materiality and texture playing an essential role.
The artist finds inspiration for these monochrome works in nature and in the spiritual laws of the universe. They demonstrate her deep connection to the principles of balance and harmony – themes she reflects and values in many aspects of her own life. The works in these collections invite the viewer to experience the stillness and tranquility and offer a harmonious contrast to the artist’s dynamic and colorful series.
Her artistic practice is always intuitive, dynamic and defined by powerful, spontaneous gestures with which she brings her emotions and feelings to the canvas without hesitation or deliberation. With rough, uninhibited brushstrokes, by carving, rubbing, discarding and rebuilding, she creates a unique tension in each of her paintings. The emotions she captures in them are not necessarily her own, but often expressions of empathy.
Astrid Van den Bosch’s works convey a calm yet strong presence. They are an expression of her constant search for ways to depict inner states that defy concrete form. Despite her dynamic artistic process, she manages to create harmonious, reduced and meditative works.
When I paint, I experience an overpowering sensation. This intensity is the essence of my work.
Astrid Van den Bosch
