Philip Akkerman, 2009 no. 31, 2009. Oil on panel. Direct Art Collection

Every painting in Philip Akkerman’s vast body of work, which consists of more than 3,000 individual pieces made over the past 30 years, is—amazingly—a self-portrait. That’s all the artist has painted since he starting his professional career in 1981. The paintings are only made in three small to medium sizes using the Old Masters technique of oil and tempura on prepared panels—a highly conceptual process for such figurative work. Viewing more than 400 of the paintings in the exhibition Akkermania at the Kunsthal Rotterdam, one sees an incredible progression as the artist grew worldlier and his skills increased. The old adage that “practice makes perfect” is rightly visible in his continuously clever work.

Philip Akkerman, 1982 no. 20, 1982. Oil on Panel. Private Collection

Philip Akkerman, 1993 no. 69, 1993. Oil on panel. Hauser & Wirth Collection, Switzerland

Philip Akkerman, 1995 no. 85, 1995. Oil on panel. Albertotashun Collection, Amsterdam

Philip Akkerman, 1999 no. 29, 1999. Oil on panel. Hauser & Wirth Collection, Switzerland

Philip Akkerman, 2004 no. 43, 2004. Collection Simon Hillary.

Philip Akkerman, 2007 no. 40, 2007. Oil on panel. Caldic Collection.

Philip Akkerman, 2008 no. 147, 2008. Oil on panel. Caldic Collection.

Philip Akkerman, 2010 no. 25, 2010. Oil on panel. Collection Jack Mondt.

Akkermania, which is accompanied by an illustrated catalogue, is on view at the Kunsthal Rotterdam through June 26, 2011.

 

 

Posted on: June 23rd, 2011 by Paul Laster
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