Weathered Wood and Marble Visualize Time Passing in Stefaan De Croock’s Poetic Portraits — Colossal



Art

#marble
#portraits
#Stefaan De Croock
#wood

Lush with material textures, Stefaan De Croock’s portraits have no identifying attributes. The Belgian artist (previously) puzzles together fragments of wood or marble into figures with distinctive postures and presences but no facial features. Anonymity can lend itself to universality, De Croock believes, and he strives to pinpoint the experiences and stories that touch many lives.

Using reclaimed materials, the artist finds that dings, scratches, and evidence of wear add to the histories of each piece, while speaking to a sense of timelessness that runs through his work. “The materials hold something magical. They possess a certain spontaneity, impossible to recreate. They show an amazing imprint of everything that ever happened to them. You can ‘see’ time,” he said in a statement.

If you’re in Brussels, you can see a collection of his portraits on view through July 13 at Nosbaum Reding Gallery for In Limbo. Otherwise, explore more of the artist’s work on Instagram.

“PORTRAIT R IV 24” (2024), recycled wood sculpture, 33.46 x 21.26 inches

“PORTRAIT F VII 24” (2024), Taj Mahal marble, 20.87 x 36.61 inches

Left: “PORTRAIT R II 24” (2024), recycled wood sculpture, 70 x 40 centimeters. Right: “PORTRAIT L I 24” (2024), recycled wood sculpture, 90 x 53 centimeters

“PORTRAIT R IV 23” (2023), Patricia Verde marble and wood frame, 72.44 x 55.71 inches

“PORTRAIT R V 24” (2024), recycled wood sculpture, 39.37 x 21.26 inches

“PORTRAIT G I 23” (2023), Carrara marble and wood frame, 100 x 64.57 inches

#marble
#portraits
#Stefaan De Croock
#wood

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. You’ll connect with a community of like-minded readers who are passionate about contemporary art, read articles and newsletters ad-free, sustain our interview series, get discounts and early access to our limited-edition print releases, and much more. Join now!