The Geometry of the Flat Landscape

Amsterdam serves as the current base for Kees Smits, an artist whose practice is rooted in the tension between the horizontal expanse of the Dutch landscape and the rigid constraints of geometric abstraction. Born in 1945 in Kortgene, NL, Smits does not seek to replicate the scenery through traditional perspective. Instead, he translates the panoramic experience of the lowlands into a language of planes and shapes. His works often reject the single, unified canvas, opting instead for several panels that stretch across the wall to mimic the wide, uninterrupted views of his homeland.

The process is one of strict formal rules meeting a certain imaginative elevation. He works primarily with acrylic paint on canvas, constructing compositions that challenge how a viewer perceives space on a flat surface. There is a deliberate friction in his method, where the physical reality of the material meets the mental construction of a scene. His motifs are not mere decorations; they are the building blocks of a visual syntax:

Structural Lineage and Recognition

The logic of Smits's compositions finds its origins in the experiments of the Russian constructivists. The influence of El Lissitsky is evident in his preoccupation with how perspective functions on a two-dimensional plane. He also draws from the organizational principles of Malevich, utilizing bright, contrasting colors to define the boundaries of his shapes. This connection to the pioneers of abstract art provides a framework for his exploration of how a landscape can be distilled into its most essential, geometric components.

His emergence in the art world is tied to a specific moment of institutional recognition. He gained prominence through his participation in the Fundamental Painting exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. This period of development led to significant milestones in his career, including a major overview of his work at the Centraal Museum in 1990, which coincided with him being awarded the Sandberg prize. These achievements solidified his position within the Dutch contemporary landscape, leading to regular exhibitions at Slewe Gallery since 1995.

A Legacy in Collections

The presence of Smits's work extends beyond the gallery walls and into the permanent records of institutional history. His paintings are held in various museum, public, and private collections, reflecting a career dedicated to the refinement of the abstract form. His ability to capture the essence of a panoramic view through a series of panels and geometric motifs ensures his work remains a significant part of the discourse on Dutch abstraction. His pieces are currently represented in the collection of Museum De Lakenhal, Leiden.