Paul Brouns
Born: 1967
Hometown: Ittervoort
Based in: Almere (near Amsterdam)
Paul Brouns (1967) is a photographing artist based in The Netherlands. In 1990 he graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Tilburg specializing in photography, painting and drawing. Since the development of digital photography his camera and computer have become his main tools for creation.
Observing the urban world, he is attracted by the abstract, rhythmic poetry of buildings and of façades in particular. He clearly concentrates only on particular elements of architecture, such as the rhythm of windows and the colour of wall surfaces. On purpose Paul Brouns leaves out most of the context that surrounds the buildings, so all attention is drawn onto the walls themselves. Each image tells a different story because of the characteristics of the building, combined with light and details of the specific moment of capturing. But throughout the work there is always this intense rhythmic concentration. Many of Paul Brouns' photographic compositions are built out of isolated sections of architecture that are duplicated, sometimes rotated or transformed in other ways. The alternate reality that comes out of this transformation, more purely displays the rhythmic fascination with the subject.
Paul Brouns In The Studio
Paul Brouns' images have an undeniably musical and melodious quality. Despite the almost mathematical precision of his architectural photography, his work reveals a personal poetic vision. – Alex de Vries
More About Paul Brouns
What inspires you?
I am inspired by rhythm, colour and light in the world around me. Very often I look at architecture because I love the geometrical repetition of windows, doors and balconies, but also the way light illuminates trees can be a wonderful source of happiness and inspiration.
Describe your creative process.
First I go outside with my camera. I prefer to explore cities I haven't visited before and I just follow my curiosity. Back in my studio I select the images that stand out. Sometimes I only refine the composition, the lines of perspective and optimise the colour balance. Other images I start combining, duplicating elements to make the experience of rhythm and colour more pure and expressive.
What are 3 words that best describe your work?
Rhythm Colour Architecture
Who are some artists that have influenced your work?
Paul Klee, Ellsworth Kelly, Robert Mangold, Escher, Mondrian, Alexander Rodchenko, Agnes Martin
What is the most important tool when creating your work?
My intuition (in combination with my camera and my computer)
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Cultivate your own fascination and curiosity
Where do you go for inspiration?
Outside in the streets, online on Instagram or Pinterest and to museums.
Collections Featuring Paul Brouns
2 Collections
Credentials
Education
Academy of Fine Arts, Tilburg (Academie voor Beeldende Vorming)
Netherlands, 1990
Awards
First Prize - All About Photography Magazine
2020
Moscow International Photography Awards, Silver award
2020
Award "best image of 2018" Flickr.com
2019
International Color Awards - 1st prize Architecture
2019
Fine Art Photography Awards - 3rd prize
2018
Moscow International Foto Awards - 2x Silver Awards
2018
Chromatic Awards - 2x 1st prize, 1x 2nd prize
2018
Award of Excellence, Little Treasures, Italy
2017
International Color Award - 2 second places
2016
Van Gogh theme - contest winner Noord Brabants Museum
2016
Moscow International Foto Awards - Honorable mentions
2015
London International Competition - Honorable mentions
2015
Instagramers Gallery Award
2014
Exhibitions
The Other Art Fair, London (October)
United Kingdom, 2021
DaMoscow Art Fair, Moscow
Russia, 2021
Group Exhibition, BBA Gallery, Berlin
Germany, 2021
Group exhibition, Anew.Gallery, Tel Aviv
Israel, 2021
Public Library Almere
Netherlands, 2020
The Music of Architecture, Online at Artsy, BBA Gallery Berlin
Germany, 2020
India Art Fair, New Delhi
India, 2020
The Online Studios London (The Other Art Fair), online
United Kingdom, 2020
TAP India, online art event, New Delhi
India, 2020
The Other Art Fair, London
United Kingdom, 2019
Almere City Archive, photography commission and exhibition
Netherlands, 2019
The Other Art Fair, Brooklyn New York
United States of America, 2019
The Other Art Fair London (King's Cross)
United Kingdom, 2019
Group exhibition, Galleria De Marchi, Bologna
Italy, 2019
India Art Fair, New Delhi
India, 2019
Exhibition Moscow International Fotography Awards
Russia, 2018
Solo Exhibition, Rietveld House Erasmusweg, Utrecht
Netherlands, 2018
Group Exhibition, Ateneo de Madrid
Spain, 2018
The Music of Architecture, solo exhibition New Delhi
India, 2018
Essentie III, Group Exhibition, Den Helder
Netherlands, 2017
Group Exhibition, Gallery De Marchi, Bologna
Italy, 2017
Essentie II, Group Exhibition, Heusden
Netherlands, 2017
Tokyo International Art Fair
Japan, 2017
Essentie I, Group Exhibition, Utrecht
Netherlands, 2017
WPPI, Las Vegas
United States of America, 2017
Imaging USA, San Antonio TX
United States of America, 2017
Contemporary Art Fair, Rotterdam
Netherlands, 2016
Realism Art Fair, Amsterdam
Netherlands, 2016
Photokina, Cologne
Germany, 2016
Affordable Art Fair, Seoul
South Korea, 2016
Group Exhibition, Tilburg University
Netherlands, 2016
Amsterdam Art Fair (Kunst Rai)
Netherlands, 2016
Amsterdam Art Fair (Kunst Rai)
Netherlands, 2015
Group Exhibition, Fotogalerie Utrecht
Netherlands, 2015
Duo exhibition, Fotogalerie Utrecht
Netherlands, 2015
"My Vincent", Noord Brabants Museum
Netherlands, 2015
Press
Cover and featured portfolio All About Photography Magazine
2020
Featured work in Saatchi Art - Holiday Catalog
2020
Featured work in Saatchi Art - Fall Catalog 1 & 2
2020
Featured article in printed magazine "Fotografisch Geheugen" (August)
2019
Artist's Page, World of Interiors (August)
2019
Catalogue "Little Treasures", Italy
2019
Get Inspired Magazine
2018
Little Treasures (printed exhibition catalog)
2017
Article in Holland Herald (printed KLM on flight magazine)
2016
Opticks Magazine
2016
Art Narratives Blog Article
2016
Lab Magazine article
2015
Blog article on Cultation.com
2015
5 Years Cum Laude - catalog with selected paintings
1995
Zichtbaar Eindeloos Art in Tilburg - interview on painted work
1994
"Bex-Brouns-Tramper-Van de Vrie" Self-printed limited edition graduation book
1990
