Waterlilies

Joe Etty (1940-2019)

Born and raised on the island of Java, young Joe Etty drew inspiration from the mesmerizing nature that surrounded him. Soaking up colors and forms to use it later on in his artworks. After the war, once settled in The Netherlands, he picked up a study at Artibus Art Society in Utrecht at the age of 23. Taken under the wings of several renowned artists in the 60’s he started his journey into the art world.

Exploring the museums of Holland, he now wraps his mind around works by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and David Hockney. Wanting even more, he travelled to be able to walk in the footsteps of his art-heroes. Planting creative seeds in his brain and have them flourished there.

He developed his own contemporary art style in his studio in Nieuwegein. Painting with colorful oil paints in classic style with brushes, or with a pallet knife, or with his fingers, or straight from the tube on Belgium Linen. Creating on standard formats, to odd sized, to very large sizes, on self-stretched canvases. The largest artwork to date measures 4.5 meters long and 2 meters high. Representing the fascinatingTropaeolum majus.

Artist Joe Etty has expressed the love of nature in his work from the beginning. He said, art is my counterweight in life. As a longtime member of Artist Center Nieuwegein, he could share his work in exhibitions. His paintings became more popular over time and found their way around the globe. With lust for life, he created every day, working on series of paintings, like the series of waterlilies. 

We love to share the warmth of his artworks.

Highlights:

1963 – 1965 Artibus (now HKU) taught by artist Rien Goené

2007 – 2010 Masterclass by artist Pierre Tatin
Annual exhibits at Kunstenaarscentrum Nieuwegein (KCN)

2015 Exhibition at KunstGein

2018 Gallery Niek Waterbolk in Utrecht
2019 Zonheuvel Estate