“ I am driven by the need to visualise ideas mainly because I am curious to see what they will look like. My work can vary in discipline, medium and appearance – from strongly physical, to intimate and contemplative, from drawings to paintings to sculpture, mixed media, theatre and puppetry.”
Simon van der Sluijs (1954) is a multi-disciplinairy artist working across a wide variety of disciplines and mediums. His work is figurative and narrative and often described as ‘hauntingly deliciously dark’.
After a classical arts training Simon worked as an exhibition and graphic designer and illustrator in The Netherlands before emigrating to New Zealand in 1989 where he established a successful career as a graphic designer and artist. Simon exhibits in galleries throughout New Zealand and The Netherlands. His works are in private collections throughout the world.
The Christchurch earthquakes from 2010 and 2011 had a traumatic effect and wiped his creative drives. It wasn’t until 8 years later that Simon started to exhibit again.
He was also co-founder, owner, creator and performer of ‘Tablo, The Notional Theatre Company of New Zealand’. Tablo was an exciting new addition to New Zealand’s theatrical scene, presenting everything from short films to street theatre to staged shows, resurrecting the time- honoured tradition of puppet and mask theatre for adult audiences. Tablo’s street theatre was performed in festivals in New Zealand, Australia, France, Scotland and the UK and its most succesful stage show was award winning ‘In Absentia”; performed in front of sold out houses throughout New Zealand.
