Rudy van der Pol was born to two Dutch artists in Christchurch 1958 and began his formal art training at Auckland Technical Institute with courses in jewellery making, graphics, illustration, photography and landscape design. Becoming a full time artist in the early 1990’s.
Rudy has worked in a multitude of media employing decoupage techniques, collage, specialising in paint finishes, metallised effects and patinas, along with sculpted metal and found objects.
His work integrates media in unusual and challenging ways and is often humorous and ambiguous. Recycled materials are used in a new context, wrapping and pleating as a textural overlays in sculptural form.
“…often materials are rendered unrecognisable with the surface use of waxes and patinas in order to challenge perceptions”
Rudy van der Pol
A piece may be representational as with the boat or flower form referencing his own personal history, but also may be experienced as a cross cultural historic emblem. This artist also finds inspiration from nature and frequently his forms border on abstraction, leaving space for a more personal response from the viewer.
His works are held in numerous private and corporate collections in Europe, USA, Australia, China and NZ ( Air New Zealand, Telstra Clear & TVNZ) He represented by several galleries across New Zealand but works from his home studio in Maungaturoto.