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Publications

      OnePeople interviews Mark Raven (English)
      Article in AMS Entertainment (English)
      Article in B2B Amsterdam (Dutch)
      Article in Museumkrant (Dutch)

Information in other languages

       Español
       Català
       Português
       Россию
      

Typically Amsterdam

“Imaginative, seemingly uncomplicated, with powerful striking contrasts”.
That is probably the best way to describe the representations of Dutchman Mark Raven (1956). Since 1987 the self taught artist has been creating art, that almost always depicts some aspect of his hometown Amsterdam.

..My passion for this city is obviously related to the fact that I was born here. But the city’s atmosphere with its canals, its decorative gables and its culture also contributes to its inspirational character...”

Eager to get in touch with other cultures, as a young artist Mark used to travel around the world to broaden his vision, supporting himself by selling impressions of the cities he visited. It was during these journeys that he learned to present his work in his own way, not solely depending on  the art gallery circuit.

The idea that his art should be more visible and affordable made that the local authorities granted him permission to set up an art kiosk, located between  internationally renowned institutions as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw.

Contrasts

In his work Mark complements traditional graphic techniques, such as etching, with the possibilities of digital image manipulation,  thus balancing the contrast between classical  and modern.
By translating the characteristics of the city into almost calligraphic symbols, a striking interpretation of Amsterdam is created.

As it has always been his aim to make his art visible and affordable, Mark now operates both from his kiosk on the Museumplein and from his recently opened gallery/store behind the Royal Palace, offering his extraordinary Amsterdam impressions not only as original prints, but also presented on t-shirts, posters and postcards.