Exhibition NIMROD MESSEG & KEES SALENTIJN
The graceful sculptures of Nimrod Messeg and the colorful paintings of Kees Salentijn can be admired at Van Loon Galleries from August 23 through September 17, 2025.
Nimrod Messeg (Spanje 1969)
From Raw Iron to Soft Forms – The Art of Nimrod
Messeg began sculpting at a young age in his father’s studio. After years of traveling the world, he found his home in Marbella, Spain, in 1999. There he opened his own workshop and gallery. In this creative environment, he developed his distinctive, direct way of working.
What makes his work so remarkable is his choice of a single material: wrought iron. Each sculpture is composed of up to a thousand hand-shaped pieces of metal. Using age-old techniques such as forging, welding, hammering, and cutting with a plasma torch, Messeg gives the raw iron character, texture, and soul.
This creates an almost magical transformation: what is hard, heavy, and industrial is turned by his hands into something light, soft, and elegant. His sculptures seem to breathe — with flowing lines, rounded forms, and striking refinement.
His work ranges from natural shapes, powerful or fragile animal figures, to expressive faces. But his greatest passion remains the creation of female torsos. These sculptures, sensual, graceful, and almost ethereal, have become beloved artworks in leading international galleries.
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“Nimrod transforms iron into icons – powerful, sensual, and unforgettable.”
Kees Salentijn (Nederland 1947)
Salentijn – Colorful Imagination Born from Tradition
Born in Amsterdam and rooted in the tradition of painting, Salentijn is an artist who uses his surroundings as a source of inspiration. He always needs a motif – something tangible from everyday life – to spark his imagination. From there, the work emerges freely, guided by imagination.
His paintings and drawings are characterized by rich layering: a saturation of color, emotion, and technique. Salentijn effortlessly combines different materials and styles into one powerful whole. In his expressive, lively style, he takes us to Spain – a country that deeply inspires him. From the landscape to folklore, from dance and architecture to the flavors of local cuisine: southern life bursts from the canvas.
For enthusiasts and collectors, this exhibition is a joyful reunion with Salentijn’s recognizable signature – a celebration of color, culture, and character.
“Color, culture, and character – that is Salentijn.”
Official opening
We are delighted to invite you to the festive opening of the exhibition of Nimrod Messeg and Kees Salentijn on Sunday, August 24, starting at 1:00 PM. Kees Salentijn will be personally present in the gallery and will be happy to share more about his work and inspiration during an informal conversation.
Opening hours Van Loon Galleries
Wednesday to Friday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Sunday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (or by appointment)
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