Jan Vingerhoets

Artist Statement: The Philosophy of Imperfectionism

Material & Ethos

I abhor waste, consumerism, and the "throw-away" mindset. Consequently, I strive to reclaim materials that would otherwise end up in landfill, be burned, or be buried. I am drawn to the hidden beauty and sculptural honesty of life-worn objects; my aim is to either echo that natural transformation or creatively pair them with complementary elements. This process results in entirely unique pieces that are both visually appealing and functional, imbued with a backstory that is far more than the sum of its parts.

"Oscar Wilde said that if you know what you want to be, then you inevitably become it—that is your punishment. But if you never know, then you can be anything. I think you can be [self-]imprisoned if you think of yourself as a noun." — Stephen Fry

It has taken me decades to realise how true these words are. This insight is both a source of frustration and the driving force behind my relatively late artistic emergence. Throughout my life, I have "been" many things; these diverse experiences have equipped me with a vast toolkit of skills over the thirty-odd years I’ve been developing my craft.

Photo by Claire Gunn