Portrait of ERWIN TIMMERS
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ERWIN TIMMERS

Public Art, Sculpture / Installation, Visual / Media

My work references sociological and environmental issues of concern to me, primarily how we, as a society, consume and discard precious resources. My portfolio showcases the possibility and beauty of recycled material, while encouraging the viewer to consider his or her environmental impact.

About the Artist

Erwin Timmers is co-founder and co-director of the Washington Glass School, where he teaches glass, lighting, sculpture, and metal work. Originally from Amsterdam, he moved to California where he graduated from Santa Monica College for Design Art and Architecture. In 1999 he came to the Washington DC area and since then his sculptural artwork has been on display in an increasing number of local, regional and national galleries.  He has received multiple public art commissions and is also featured in numerous private collections. He has been featured in numerous books, notably “100 Mid-Atlantic Artists” by Ashley Rooney, “Cast” by Jen Townsend and Renée Zettle-Sterling.  In 2018 Erwin received the Outstanding Artist Award from Montgomery County, Maryland. Erwin is one of the area’s leading “green artists”.  Recycling, waste and how they relate to society are recurring themes in his work.  Erwin’s main medium is one of the least recycled materials; float glass or window glass, and he has had to develop new techniques to exploit the properties of this material. His approach to art is multi-faceted, incorporating metalwork, innovative lighting and glass design.

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Artist's Statement

My work references sociological and environmental issues of concern to me, primarily how we, as a society, consume and discard precious resources. Some pieces examine decisive patterns in our behavior and explore the relationship between the way we live and our environment. How does the way we build affect the way we live? What are the consequences? Are there alternatives? How do our surroundings affect the way we think and feel? Other work delves into material and resource consumption. Repair versus replace, reuse versus discard. Upcycling trash to art. My portfolio showcases the possibility and beauty of recycled material, while encouraging the viewer to consider his or her environmental impact.

Featured Work

Photos

This piece consists of 5 columns with 3 backlit glass panels each. The panels feature bas-relief castings of various types of recyclables. It is divided into 5 materials, a take on the 5 traditional media of craft; instead of glass, metal, ceramic, fabric and paper, you have glass, aluminum, plastic, cardboard, and electronics. The recyclables seem to tumble from the top to the bottom, and in doing so transform themselves from discarded into recycled objects. The glass I used was recycled glass, so there are some patterns visible where shards have melted together and more impurities than you would find in a “new” glass casting.
This wall mounted piece is comprised of a grid of 7 individual bas-relief recycled glass castings, in hammered steel frames that protrude from the backing wall with a reflective backing. The backing plate is recycled plywood, burned and then sealed, with a backlighting of LEDs By using recycled materials as well as the forms and patterns derived from recycling as symbols, I bring a strong message that relates to our environment and how we, as a society, deal with it. Here you see a collection of geometric patterns that all have a twist which becomes more obvious as you examine the piece close up. The frames all emanate from a shape that reflects upon the scorched earth.
This wall mounted piece consists of a recycled cast glass center with flickering lights. This is surrounded by recycled carved plywood with acrylic paint and backlighting. The stark cityscape backdrop contrasts with the warm organic center, suggesting 2 different ways of living. Some have compared the flickering orange lights to the COVID-19 virus with a New York skyline backdrop.
This wall mounted piece is comprised of 9 individual bas-relief recycled glass castings, using green colored glass inserted in steel frames with a reflective backing. This piece focuses on gadget packaging; the smaller the gadget, the more packaging it needs…
This wall mounted piece is comprised of 9 individual bas-relief recycled glass castings, using blue colored glass inserted in steel frames with a reflective backing. This piece focusses on single use food containers. It is amazing how much throw away packaging comes with a healthy salad.
This wall mounted piece is comprised of 9 individual bas-relief recycled glass castings, using red colored glass inserted in steel frames with a reflective backing. By using recycled materials as well as the forms and patterns derived from recycled/recyclable objects, I bring a strong message that relates to our environment and how we, as a society, deal with it.