Mark Sjerps discovered his love and talent for sculpting at the end of the 1980s.
As an autodidact who is not impeded by cultural ballast or other people's ideas,
he developed entirely his own style that still cries out for continued development.
Matters resulted in about ten expositions within the gallery circuit in the early 1990s.
"Subjectives" was a group of around 25 unique statues ranging from 40 to 180 cm high.
By 1993 he had had enough of this world. The eagerness with which galleries wanted to
exhibit his work violated his sense of quality. The result was a necessary but
self-appointed seven-year break, which was interrupted by a small assignment now and then.
The inevitable reversal came in 2000: a private assignment for a large bronze resulted
in "Conception: a Gift of Water". It was clear that Mark Sjerps' break hadn't done any
damage. Conception was more mature, balanced, tranquil and simultaneously more explicit
than his previous work. Conceptual thinking had given way to style, distinct lines and a
firmer vision.
It is striking that Conception in essence goes back to his very first bronze from 1989
entitled "I Know Who Did It". It's as if Sjerps had grabbed himself by the scruff of
his neck beforehand in order to start anew.
Mark Sjerps: "I am very curious as to what I will be making in 15 years' time".
Mark Sjerps' statues are currently being cast at Binder, a prominent bronze foundry in
Haarlem, the Netherlands. Binder casts statues for (the heirs of) Mari Andriessen
(De Dokwerker), Nic Jonk, Charlotte van Pallandt, Truus Menger, Kees Verkade and
Willem Lenssinck, among others.
Rob Zeeman