Karel Zijlstra

Other human beings have always been on  this world; this fact intrigued Karel Zijlstra  since his childhood.  In thousands of years men and women developed from bestial creatures to spiritual human beings. Lack of specific knowledge  made  them believe in gods and miracles; life was explained and made bearable by storytelling.  People joined in secret , associations  searching the truth behind  the harsh reality, preached by king and clergy. Human evolution is the leading motive in Zijlistra’s work. He was inspired by the Celts who came from eastern Europe through Holland, Scandanavia and England to Ireland. Like the upright Celtic dancer, Zijlistra’s statues reach out for elevation and spiritualization. His  figures show no feet, they rize out of the misty Irish land like thin Gods. Their spirituality makes them almost unassailable. These slender, introverted figures are often compared with Masai warriors or Egyptian gods.  Rightly, according to the artist. Because his … [Read More...]