Kees te Kolsté - Solo - Reflections of a living Master

Kees te Kolsté - Solo

"Reflections of a Living Master" is a retrospective exhibition that explores nearly six decades of an artist at work. Having sold over 2,000 works throughout his career to prominent collectors such as Piet Boon, Kees te Kolsté is a true master of his craft.

From an early age, te Kolsté was introduced to art through frequent visits to museums, where he developed a deep fascination with Zen art. This interest in Asian aesthetics became the catalyst for his lifelong dedication to martial arts. Beginning with judo, he went on to practice karate, iaido, kendo, jodo, kyudo, tai-ki-ken, and ultimately pakua—his preferred martial art today. He attributes his artistic success to the discipline and repetition inherent in these practices.

Inspired by artists such as Cy Twombly, René Magritte, and Willem de Kooning, te Kolsté works across a range of styles, including abstract and figurative expressionism. While the works in this exhibition vary in form and execution, they share a common thread—the depiction of an inner world. Drawing from the visualization techniques of Tibetan Buddhism, te Kolsté enters a trance-like state during his creative process, allowing images to emerge organically from his soul onto the canvas. He has no interest in external influences, instead looking inward for inspiration.

"Reflections of a Living Master" is not only a summation of te Kolsté’s relentless artistic exploration over the years but also an invitation to introspection—encouraging us to pause, look within, and reflect on our own lives.