“If art is not about malcontent, what good is it? “
Edward Albee
"In order for Art to be relevant it has to be confrontational, reality is unavoidable. This visual narrative acts like a hammer. Portraits, paintings, and drawings are an analogy of works of nature. In this world we all share, there are no winners or losers. Life evokes an endless struggle and has been an inspiration for my work" - Alphonse van Woerkom
About the artist
Alphonse van Woerkom was born in Holland in 1943. Following his art education, receiving his MFA in painting, he moved to the U.S. in 1971. He worked as a political cartoonist for several newspapers in the U.S. and in Holland. Two books of satirical drawings were published by Random House/Knopf - “Face to Face” in 1974 and “Common Life“ in 1976.
Returning to painting, he participated in several group shows and had a one-man show in New York. A series of small portraits, oil on copper plates, was followed with an exhibition before returning to Holland to work for a newspaper as political cartoonist. The newspaper sponsored his report from Yugoslavia, Drawings from the Balkan conflict, a traveling exhibition. Returning to New York he worked for New York Newsday.
Van Woerkom is currently teaching drawing at both the School of Visual Arts, NY and the New Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ.