May 1, 2009
Judy Guedj
As we promised to find you real gems in the world of mosaics, I couldn't be more pleased than to present this artist and his work in our first issue!
The artist's name is Olaf Van Cleef and, as you will see by the end of this article, he has the heart and soul of a mosaicist, although I do not believe that this is a label he is referred to by the world at large. Yes, he is a descendant of the reknowned Dutch family, Van Cleef. This persona vies for attention alongside his identity as long-time advisor to design house, Cartier.
In his own words, Olaf Van Cleef describes himself:
"I love the mosaic of ideas, of cultures, of colours... I have always been fascinated by pointillism: this multitude of little things, little dots ... I am myself a mosaic: have I not had two countries, three mothers, four grand-mothers, five grand-fathers and several loves? Lack of sleep has driven me to fill entire pages with multicoloured little squares... no limits"
Having begun a career as a painter at 51, Van Cleef dazzles us with his bejeweled creations which arise from a fierce love of India, its people and culture. Alongside the jewels are delicate dabs of plaster of Paris and
"miniscule squares of metallic ch ocolate wrappers that he uses
together with squares of paint to a shimmering mosaic all over the canvases. . . . the soft pastel water colours he uses as a base for each of the paintings. Each of these elements give his works a distinctive look . . . this is Indian mythology and royalty re-interpreted, as seen through the eyes of a man who has visited the country 55 times since the age of seven, according to Manob Tagore of Cottage Industries, an associate of Olaf's." Divya Kumar
I explored a little further into the accomplishments of this mystical artist. I use the word "mystical" as that is one of the most prevalent energies
India represents for me. Clearly, Van Cleef has absorbed this enigmatic quality or perhaps was so attracted to it because it was already an innate part of his being, a part which he imbues with such passion and love into all of his artwork.
Which leads me to pointing you towards my discovery of La Maison of Van Cleef and Arpels. Oh my! Van Cleef and his team have merged the art of mosaics and jewelry to a level of brilliance and story telling which one must see to appreciate! Each wondrous collection highlighted via a series of vingnettes which include such titles as "A Midsummer's Night Dream" and "Une Journee a
Paris" is a feast for a mosaic lover's eyes, imagination and palette! | 