The creative drive of sculptor Anton ter Braak (1960) is expressed in powerful bronze sculptures that balance on the interface between abstraction and figuration. The sculptures originate in his own studio, which is located in a beautiful nature area between the Gelderse Neede and Diepenheim. Horses, bulls, women and the abstract are favorite themes for the bronze works of art by Anton ter Braak.
 
Continuous development
His artistic muses are an infinite source of inspiration for Anton ter Braak, or as Ter Braak puts it himself: "Themes that I can deal with for years: one work comes from the other, I try to get closer to the essence of my life. objects to come in. In more than twenty years I have developed my own style. " A common denominator of Ter Braak's bronze creations is that they have sprouted from the world of his imagination, rather than from reality. Essential details of a woman's body, the head of a bull or the body of a rearing horse, are magnified and perfectly polished in scene. The sculpture seem quiet, or are in full movement. Anton ter Braak knows how to project the soul of the portrayed in an unmistakable way.
 
At home in art
In the basement below his studio, which also functions as a workshop, there is an exhibition space, where the artist exhibits a part of his collection. In the sculpture garden around his rural house, larger works can be admired. In addition to exhibiting at various galleries in Holland and abroad, Anton ter Braak regularly organizes open studio days at his home. The idea behind this is to give clients and buyers the opportunity to see with their own eyes how a bronze sculpture is created. As one of the few sculptors, Anton ter Braak partially casts his bronze sculptures and loads, grinds and patches his works personally. During the visit to his studio, potential clients can also express their specific wishes. To give an insight into his private domain, the artist has not been bothered: Anton ter Braak can rely on an extensive portfolio of both private and public assignments, such as a bronze sculpture for the Dutch embassy in Paris, the statue of Albert Mol in Laren, the monument for unbaptized children in Hengevelde and the bronze arch in front of the Matteus Church in Eibergen. He does, however, before he accepts an assignment, whether it suits him and his working method, because according to Ter Braak an assignment must "stimulate and challenge".
 
Versatility in Bronze
Anton ter Braak works exclusively with bronze. This unique material is not for nothing so popular with many sculptors, because it is extremely versatile. Bronze also has the property to give a classic feeling to an sculpture , something that he gratefully uses. The bronze sculptures of Ter Braak are particularly striking because of the mirror-smooth, polished surfaces, which are in sharp contrast to the rougher parts. Regular use is made of metal-braced gauze or jute cord, with which the sculptures are partially constricted or wrapped. With this Anton ter Braak creates both a surface division and a connection between the smooth-polished and rougher parts, which yields an extremely intriguing effect.
 
Demonstration of bronze casting
On Sunday 24 June Anton ter Braak will give a bronze casting demonstration in the garden of gallery Wildevuur. Especially for this afternoon he has designed the sculpture below that will be poured under your watchful eye that afternoon. You are welcome from 2 pm to attend this special afternoon.

An extensive exhibition with the statues of Anton ter Braak in the garden and gallery can be admired at the same time and can be seen at gallery Wildevuur until 29 July.