Adrie Reinders

Gallery Nico Koster, Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 44, 1017 DG Amsterdam
T: +31 20 7769991

Mid 80’s I started collected art in earnest – mostly based on dutch art post World War II.
The core of my collection was the famous painter Jan Sierhuis, from Amsterdam – and via him I came into contact with a variety of other painters such as Karel Appel, Lucebert, Corneille and many others. Next to the paintings themselves, which to me enrich my ife, I also added many contacts over the years with Gallery owners, musea directors (Rudi Fuchs) and was I honored to cooperate with Jan Sierhuis and Peter Halley to publish books about their art. In all, I met many art-loving, likeminded people all over the world.

It shows that if you have a common interest, it isn’t actually that hard to make new connections. People in such an environment are often prepared to help you with new introductions. There are many passtimes that bring you into contact with a specific group, often a totally different then the one you would ordinarily speak to in your daily occupation. This is one of the reasons I always promote developing your general knowledge and broad interests so that you know a little bit more then average about things that come your way. Until today, I have hundreds of people around the globe that I know I can reach out to, whom I have gotten to know through our joint passion for art.

Hereby a short description of Jan Sierhuis,
Sierhuis grew up during the years of the post WW1 depression. His father died when he was only 2 years old. During his early youth he took to drawing and working with clay, and was given a painters set when he was nine. As a boy he often would make long rambles through Amsterdam. He grew up with the many city scenes we know from Breitner and Israëls, representing a city full of simple people, working hard to survive. But also a city with a lot of joie de vivre and solidarity. Whilst Sierhuis travelled extensively during his later years, he remains a true Amsterdammer at the core of his being.

Instead of going to the Academy of art, he was sent to a local trade school to become a house-painter instead. This vocational training gave him the knowledge and understanding of the materials he would use to his benefit later on.

He, together with Appel, Corneille and Lucebert, is at the centre of post-war developments in Art. During 1945 he is admitted to the evening study at the “Rijksacademie” which he leaves again after a falling out. He is involved with the Experimentalists in 1947 and the CoBrA group in 1948. He does not join them however as he is considered too young.

Development of his work

Jan Sierhuis is above all an expressionist. He finds his inspiration with the masters like Cézanne, Matisse, Van Gogh and Picasso.
In his early years, he paints naturalistic landscapes. Impressed by the sheer power of abstrahism during the 50’s and 60’s he works in abstracts for a period of time. His work up until the 60s s mostly classifiable as Expressionism. After that you see a period during which his work is overwhelmingly about human figures. After that Sierhuis changes into more figurative themes such as dancing figures, portraits and landscapes.

During the summermonths, Jan Sierhuis lives mainly in Spain with his family. He develops a passion for Flamenco there which dance influences his work greatly. The flamenco inspires him in the last years to start working in 3D.

Exhibitions

Jan Sierhuis has had tentoonstellingen in the Netherlands, France, Mexico, Argentinia, Switzerland, Dutch Antilles, Colombia, Ireland, United States, Sweden, Denmar, Norway, Germany, Poland and Japan.

For those of you wanting to see a real Sierhuis – you can currently find a number of his paintings at Galery Nico Koster on the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat – all from his Flamenco period, rich, expressive, full of colour and dynamic. Worth a visit.

A landmark amidst those that come and go

Dynasty, Regulierdwarsstraat 30, Phone: +31 20 626 84 00

When Dynasty opened its doors 28 years ago it was a true sensation. Even now though, it is still the place to go if you like asian food.

Every time I walk in, the gorgeous Walasse Tings on the wall take my breath away and the traditional umbrellas hanging from the ceiling contribute to the overall atmosphere. Dynasty has earned its fame due to its excellent Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese kitchen and you will always find a mixed clientele frequenting the restaurant, usually with a high percentage of VIPs in the mix.
Dynasty’s personnel usually have been there for quite some years, which shows in the professionality with which they advice on the dishes served. The owner also made me very happy yesterday by telling me that they prepare a lot of their food without butter or cream, which makes the food reasonably light

Not only is the decor stylish, it also suits and complements the food that is served. My starter yesterday were dim sum, and as a main I had a mixture of chicken, beef and fish – all prepared with the most delicate herbs, offering it a unique flavour.

Food: 9
Service: 8.5
Comfort: 8
Price/quality: 8.5

It’s always a pleasure to have dinner at Dynasty.

Jimmy Woo and E.Factor – a dynamic duo

After many events with theme such as Green Energy, Fashion or (as we will host next week) doing business in Russia, India, Israel and the US – we thought it time for a easy-going network evening in the nightclub Jimmy Woo. Jimmy is an icon in Amsterdam nightlife and remains in the top 10 clubs worldwide. We did wonder in advance if E.Factor members would see it as added value to have us organise drinks and a start to the weekend here, but after last night – we are in no doubt they do!! About 150 members turned up, in the way they walked up to the door you could see they were very much in the mood for a good night out. The first reactions have all been very positive and many of the members stayed up dancing the night away. We’re considering making this a regular, perhaps monthly, evening and starting a similar arrangement with an exclusive nightclub in other cities around the world.