Tom Claassen
My sculptures indeed always have something frolicsome. It is because of the wrinkles and the full, fat forms. I always want to get to the most archetypal form of the animal that I want to depict as quickly as possible.
Tom Claassen via KADE Beelden Gids, 2010
Tom Claassen (1964, the Netherlands) is primarily known for his pieces created for public venues – not only in the art circuit, but also by the public at large. Claassen’s work is often positioned along the border between culture and nature and is firmly rooted in the sculpture tradition, while at the same time featuring an original, playful and personal touch. The often soft and rounded shapes invite us to caress them, but this proves to be deceitful, since the material that looks so soft and inviting is actually bronze. Likewise, those sculptures that appear hard and uninviting to the touch turn out to be made of rubber.
