
Tomas Hillebrand
Tomas Hillebrand seeks perfection. Romanticism is one of the main sources of inspiration for his work and his artistic practice. The irrational personal affectivity as well as the imagination of the fantastic are essential values in his work – a reaction to the rational society in which we live. Hillebrand links to a group of artists who show a renewed interest in the art of the 19th century which depicts the world as individual experiences or dreams. His glass sculptures, various blown domes filled with water, refer to snow globes: a beloved souvenir, a nostalgic object and also a memory of visited popular places. Hillebrand creates his own world by releasing the dome from its cliched symbol of snow and the monumental characteristics of landmarks. The unaffected nature is idealized – not by its imitation, but by trying to depict the deeper essence of the beauty of nature. Hillebrand does not show us pictorial elements in his snow domes, instead he indicates them: He visualizes its imagination by using natural elements such as water, sand or cork, outside of the constraints of place and time. Tomas Hillebrand creates imaginary, utopian worlds, that are connected with the most valuable human quality: hope. The domes almost seem to become objects of meditation like scholar rocks or traditional Japanese meditation gardens. The various associative materials used, seduce the viewer in a contemplative manner to connect with the deeper affectivity and the perception of beauty that lies in their instinctive memory. Hillebrand invites us to useour imagination and fantasy.
Biography
Functions
Visual Artist
Conservator, artistic direction exhibitions Museum Jan
Education
1997 – 2002 Gerrit Rietveld Academy Amsterdam, Free Media
1996 – 2002 Assistance, Atelier Jan Verschoor (sculptor), Amstelveen
Solo Exhibitions
2017 ‘Elysium – Barbara Nanning & Tomas Hillebrand’ double Solo, Curated by Mr. Gao Yi and Mr. Xie Yaping, T² International Contemporary Art Center, Chongqing, China
2016 “Things Are Not Always As They Seem” double Solo with Stefan Annerel, Zhong Gallery Beijing, China
2013 “Tomas Hillebrand in Japan”, Museum Jan Van der Togt, Amstelveen
2013 “Tomas Hillebrand in Japan”, Royal Leerdam, Leerdam 2008 “A mon seul Désir”, Galerie Smits, Amsterdam
Group Exhibitions
Awards
2013 De stichting Van Vlissingen Art Foundation
Work in collections:
DELA kunstcollectie (2022) Museum Escher in het paleis, Den Haag (3 pieces 2021)
Carla and Hugo Brown, The Hague/Glasgow(UK) (2008, 2013)
De Heus-Zomer, Barneveld (2013)
Mr. and Ms. Fentener van Vlissingen-Comtesse de Pourtalés (3 pieces: 2010,2013,2013)
Museum JAN, Amstelveen (4 pieces: 2004,2008,2008,2013)
Schouwburg Amstelveen (3 pieces:2010)
Achmea Kunstcollectie, Zeist (2008)
Comissioned projects
2017 Design of the Artworks – Royal Afternoon Tea Crockery for Intercontinental Amstel Hotel Amsterdam in collaboration with Nina Constantinescu / Super Collective
2010 Trophy Design for TWOTY Award Amsterdam
Membership
Member of Art-society Arti et Amicitiae Amsterdam
Books
2019 “Verder zien” tien kunstenaars over reizen & inspiratie stichting Van Vlissingen Art Foundation, Waanders Uitgevers
2013 “Tomas Hillebrand in Japan”, written by Marcel Brouwer and with landscape photography by Atsushi Okuyama, De stichting Van Vlissingen Art Foundation
Publications - selection
TopTime magazine, “Tomas Hillebrand” written by Prof. Ruud Lapré, spring 2015
New Glass Review 35, The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York 2014
Zeeland Magazine, winter 2013, Nelleke Launspach Amstel Hotel Magazine, no2 2013-2014
KLM Holland Herald Inflight Magazine, Frontlines “Top of the glass” september 2013
Telegraaf, Stan Huygens Journaal “Tomas groeit op reis naar Japan”
Telegraaf Kunst, sept 2013 “Zen onder een koepel”, Bertjan Ter Braak
Parool, 31.08.2013, “Een bol is mooi in zijn eenvoud”, Corry Verkerk
Fjoezzz, 2/2013 “Tomas Hillebrand: hedendaagse interpretatie van 19de-eeuwse Romantiek”, Piet Augustijn
Neues Glas/New Glass Fall 2013, “Tomas Hillebrand”, Matthias Mayr
De Telegraaf, April 2013, Stan Huygens Journaal
Audi Magazine april 2014
Collect Kunst & Antiek Journaal april 2013, “Tomas Hillebrand in Japan”, Marcel Brouwer De
Telegraaf, 28.05.2010 “Stortvloed aan visuele prikkels” (Art Amsterdam), Maaaike Staffhorst
Het Parool, PS, (Art Amsterdam), 22.05.2010
Limburgs dagblad, 18.12.2009 “Contrast tussen abstract en kitsch”, Caspar Cillekens
Amstelveens Nieuwsblad, 2008 “Werk waarin herinnering weerspiegelt”,
Van Buiten en Beaufort SPITS!, 2004, “Van sneeuwhuisje tot tuinkabouter” (Jonge kunstenaars), Maaike Staffhorst
Tubelight, march/april 2002, “Vies Torenkamertje” (A Haunted Hause of Art), Minka Bos