Werner Bronkhorst is a self-taught contemporary artist hailing from Australia, celebrated for his singular artistic style. Renowned for his innovative approach, Werner Bronkhorst skillfully marries abstract sculptural backdrops with hyper-realistic portrayals of miniature individuals. Through his distinct gestural technique, he has crafted a remarkable series of artworks that delve into the dynamic interplay between the micro and macro, as well as the tangible and the abstract. Bronkhorst’s creations stand as visual marvels, offering a profound exploration of scale and reality within his striking compositions.
1. What medium of art do you use, and why that medium?
A majority of my work is made using thick acrylic gel mediums to create the highly textural bases for my paintings. I often mix other non-conventional materials such as volcanic rock, marble dust, and other compounds to create a variety of effects depending on the scene I want to create. It is then that I add miniature figures of people surfing, skiing, or walking, which are painted using acrylic paints. More recently though, I have started creating large-scale drawings of cars using charcoal on raw canvas before I paint words over the drawing using thick acrylic paint.
2. What are the projects you’ve worked on worldwide?
Although I work in Australia, most of my artwork ends up in the hands and houses of collectors in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Now that my work has garnered international attention, there are exciting projects underway, such as exhibitions and collaborations, as well as installations in countries like Germany, the United States, and England.
3. Any collaborations that you have worked on with brands, etc.
I am currently working on an artwork in collaboration with Nissan to promote their Formula E division. Later this month, I will also announce my next collection, which will feature snow scenes such as skiing, snowboarding, and many more. For that reason, I decided to collaborate with Pockies, a clothing brand in Amsterdam, to create hoodies and tracksuit pants with my figures embroidered all over. So soon, my art will be worn by many people!
4. What are your plans for the future? Are there any projects, or collaborations you could hint at?
I certainly have big dreams, and although I have been on the map for less than a year, my dream finally came true when Porsche reached out to work on a big project for their annual Porsche Ice Experience in Finland. I’ll be creating the trophies for that event as well as a small body of work to be exhibited there for two months. Mercedes-Benz also reached out and we are in the discussion phase for a possible project together.
5. What are your thoughts on the current art landscape?
As much as I love the world of art, I feel it needs a refresh. New art that pushes the boundaries rather than the same old paintings we’ve seen for hundreds of years. Art can be very exclusive and hard to understand or enjoy for everyone. With the rise of artificial intelligence, the metaverse, and the continual rise of social media’s influence on how we consume, create, and display works of art, the landscape of art is changing drastically and at an unprecedented pace. Also, this is a frightening feeling, I choose to embrace this change and use it for my own good as well as the good of others by making art that is new, exciting, and innovative,
6. What message are you trying to deliver with your art?
I always say that the whole world is a canvas; we are just walking in it. I paint the world with us in it but in a very simple and thought-provoking way.
Whether it is the scene depicted, the title of the artwork, or the figures within my paintings, each artwork is made with the viewer in mind. When I create my artworks I do so with the intention that the viewer can connect with them and imagine themselves in that painting. We are all artworks made by our own Creator and have the responsibility to look after and appreciate this masterpiece of a planet that we live in.
7. Your artwork utilizes plaster of Paris on canvas. What brought about this idea?
I formerly worked as a self-employed furniture designer and craftsman. As a result, I worked with weird and wonderful materials to create furniture that was unlike any other. There were often leftover materials like plaster of Paris that I didn’t want to put to waste, so I decided to make artwork out of them. I started out spreading this plaster onto blocks of wood and when it dried, I realized that it looked like a snowy mountain. I decided to use my skills as an artist to paint tiny figures of skiers and snowboarders it. I took a video of this entire process and posted it on social media where it got a lot of attention. I have since continued mixing all kinds of materials in search of the perfect textures, which is why I feel more like a scientist than an artist. As a result, I decided to call my art studio ‘The Lab’.
8. What message would you like to give to our readers and young artists?
Don’t be afraid to try something new and different. If you have a dream, don’t let it go; chase after it, learn from those you admire, and put in the work to achieve your goals and make those dreams a reality.