Frits Achten

Frits Achten is inspired by art forms that exist outside conventional artistic frameworks, including ethnographic art, art brut, folk art, religious art, and street art. Central to his practice is a fascination with the stories, rituals, and symbolic meanings embedded within these traditions. This influence is reflected in his sculptures, which possess a strong, expressive presence and often evoke a sense of the ritualistic or the archaic.

His works are typically large, bulky, and organic in form, combining a physical immediacy with a more intuitive, imaginative quality. Rather than adhering to predetermined designs, Achten allows his sculptures to emerge through process, resulting in forms that feel both raw and deliberate.

A deep connection to nature underlies his work. From an early age, Achten has been captivated by the diversity of natural forms, the processes of growth and decay, and the underlying structures that organize what may appear to be chaos. These observations continue to inform both the visual language and the working methods within his practice.

Achten’s technique is directly informed by these natural processes. He constructs his sculptures layer by layer, without the use of an internal frame or skeleton. This method allows each piece to develop freely over time, with the final form only becoming clear once the work is completed. The process can be compared to natural systems of construction, such as the formation of shells or nests.

He works primarily with papier-mâché, using a pulp made from newspaper or cardboard combined with wallpaper paste and wood glue. The material has a density similar to clay, allowing for the creation of substantial forms. Each layer must dry before the next is applied, making the process slow and time-intensive, but resulting in strong, durable sculptures with a distinct, textured surface.

Frits Achten is based in Eindhoven, where his studio is located at Sectie-C, a former industrial site that has developed into a large community of artists and designers, contributing to Eindhoven’s reputation as a centre for innovation in art, design, and technology.