Since the early eighties Joep van Lieshout produces objects in mainly bright coloured polyester, the material that would become his trademark in subsequent years. In 1995 he founded Atelier Van Lieshout (AVL), undermining the myth of the individual artistic genius. Atelier Van Lieshout has attained international recognition for objects that balance on the boundary between art, architecture and design. These works of art are practical, uncomplicated and substantial. Recurring themes in the work of AVL are autarky, power, politics and the more classical themes of life and death.
Read MoreOne of the most known projects is AVL-Ville (2001), the cultural freestate in the harbour of Rotterdam. Although only existing for less than a year of this 'new city' a lot of visitors, professional or recreational, were inspired. After that Atelier Van Lieshout realised a number of large autonomic art projects like the large scaffolding installation Sportopia (2002), the large biogas installation Technocrat (2003–2004), and the dystopian city SlaveCity (2005–2009), and the large recycling installation Cradle to Cradle (2009–2010).
Text courtesy OMR.
