CLEMENS BRIEL, 1997 - 2009

A vibrant and characteristic work by the renowned Dutch artist Clemens Briels, known for his self-coined "Antipodism" movement. This piece features a bold, stylized profile of a figure—likely a traveler or mythical bird-man—rendered in saturated blocks of primary color. The composition is dominated by a central figure with a distinctive blue-striped headdress and a bird-like mask in red and green, symbolizing freedom and the flight of the imagination. The background is a luminous yellow, densely packed with Briels’ signature "floating" motifs: blue rain-drop eyes and red crown-like geometric patterns. True to Briels' philosophy, the work rejects academic perspective in favor of a flat, energetic narrative that transforms everyday human experience into a colorful, optimistic fantasy. The influence of Latin American and Caribbean vibrancy is evident in the warm palette and festive iconography. Artist Bio Clemens Briels (b. 1946, Son, Netherlands) is a sculptor, painter, and designer who gained international fame for his colorful, pop-art-adjacent style. His work is held in numerous private and corporate collections worldwide. He was notably the Official Artist of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.