Leon Tebbe

The secret life of things

The Arnhem artist Leon Tebbe collects objects that appeal to him. As a painter, brushes are his tools, but objects are also part of his equipment. The shapes and colors of things without value, which one would carelessly throw away, become elements of compositions in his hands.

In the summer he works outside and paints the plant world, in the winter he retreats to his studio, where his collection of things serves as inspiration. “I'm going to move and build with them, place them in a limited space or not, in a model, until I can see a painting in it.” Giving everyday objects dignity in a balanced constellation creates an invitation to look attentively. “That careless look and the awareness of it is the actual subject of my work.”

The end goal of these three-dimensional compositions is paintings. The objects themselves remain in his studio as preliminary studies.

But now Leon Tebbe is showing his object compositions to the outside world for the first time. In the five viewing cabinets of the Museum of All Times he sets up spatial constellations and offers a glimpse into a world that would otherwise remain behind closed doors.

Artist initiative ALARM permanent exhibition by Ans Verdijk by appointment or the door is open so you can look around.