Ronald A. Westerhuis
Gijsbert de Bruin
The People Behind The Company Ronald A. Westerhuis & Gijsbert De Bruin
Ronald A. Westerhuis, born in the Netherlands in 1971, started as a sculptor over a decade ago. Going through the first experimental forms, shapes and material, he found his way, and has worked with stainless steel ever since. Not believing in boundaries, he designs sculptures as elements of positive energy in its surrounding. Lines, balance, gravity, finishing and new techniques are continuously explored in his work.
He got inspiration from an exploration throughout the world, including seven years of extensive traveling, a brief yet intense career in the offshore industry, where oilrigs, heavy structures and massive pieces of stainless steel marked his daily life.
Stainless steel is a material that I am very closely related to. Its character is robust, hard and indestructible, but at the same time it can be vulnerable and sensitive. It is a relatively new material that, in its current form, has been around for less than 100 years.
The idea to design thrones came from my admiration for the energy and respect that wealth, power and public exposure bring to a person. As an artist, I relate myself to that in an 'avant garde' way.
Gijsbert de Bruin, a lifelong entrepreneur, who provoked by the challenges and opportunities forecasted by the slowly awakening Chinese society decided to establish himself in Shanghai in the late nineties of the past century. Since then he and his business partner Nic Pannekeet have nurtured several business ventures into successful companies.
Gijsbert and Ronald first met during the 2005 art fair in Shanghai for which Ronald had been invited. Due to my experience with stainless steel manufacturing, I felt immediately attracted towards Ronald's work, appreciating the way he has conquered the challenging material and subdued it to his will.
Acknowledging the potential of Ronald's talent as a sculptor, Gijsbert has started to actively support Ronald since late 2008. This cooperation has let to a series of new works and designs and holds many more promises for the future.