Solo Exhibition
24 May–14 September 2025
Stephan Balkenhol at Kunsthal Rotterdam
Kunsthal Rotterdam, Netherlands
Chopping and carving into wood, Stephan Balkenhol reveals figures that seem to emerge from the trunk of a tree, as if they have always been hidden within it. Balkenhol is an internationally celebrated artist, known for his sculptures and reliefs. His robust, colourful works depict everyday people or animals, sometimes a combination of both. They have a timeless, serene appearance and are often dressed in simple, plain clothing, which he applies with paint.
From the 1980s, Balkenhol chose to reintroduce figuration into sculpture, a counter-movement at a time when abstraction, minimalism, and conceptual art dominated. This decision marks the beginning of his success and sets him apart from his contemporaries. His sculptures of men in dark trousers and light shirts are famous, with their quiet, restrained poses conveying a universal human story.
Over the years, Balkenhol has developed a style characterised by simplicity and craftsmanship. All his work is made by hand, without the help of assistants or computer-controlled machines. He begins with a chainsaw for the rough work, then uses a hammer, chisel, and gouge to refine each sculpture to the finest detail. Balkenhol carves both the figures and their bases from a single block of wood, often from poplar, wawa, or cedar.
By using traditional tools, Balkenhol allows himself to be guided by the natural imperfections of the wood, such as knots and grain. This gives each piece a raw, lively quality, with the marks of the carving process still visible. Wood is the perfect material for him: where stone is ‘too slow’ and plaster and clay are ‘too quick’, wood offers both resistance and energy. It stays ‘alive’, responds to its surroundings, and is impermanent.
