Eric Toebosch - Screen print, Untitled

Eric Toebosch (Venlo, 1949) Toebosch's style and oeuvre are characterized primarily by scenes from self-written fairy tales, myths, and legends. Death is also a frequently recurring theme in his paintings. Perhaps as compensation for this heavy subject, Toebosch often incorporates humor into his work. Frequently recurring elements in his paintings include angels, crosses, hourglasses, and shields. Through the use of these symbols, Toebosch is often placed within the tradition of spiritual art. His work also shows similarities with Byzantine art, particularly through the use of gold paint. Additionally, Toebosch often incorporates text into his work. In this regard, he appears to have a slight preference for the German language, which is also reflected in many of the titles of his paintings. For sixteen years, he worked part-time as an art teacher at a secondary school in Horst. There, he tried to help the students retain their enthusiasm for art for as long as possible and to shape them culturally. Among those in his class were members of the Heideroosjes and Rowwen Hèze. In the meantime, he continued painting himself, and in 1988, when this generated more income than his job at school, he stopped teaching and focused entirely on the visual arts. Since then, he has exhibited at many (inter)national fairs, his work has been included in museums and corporate collections, and much of his work has been sold to private individuals. He does not limit himself, but works with fabric designs and ceramics, creates graphic work, and paints. Eric once read that the foundation of one's life path is laid during puberty. He does not know if it is true, but looking back, he feels it applies to him. Even then, he was in the company of, for example, Sef Derkx and Theu Boermans. The same uninhibited spirits who learned to think freely; who tried to preserve their spontaneity and creativity and let the creative process run its course. Against the current, but with success. He draws his inspiration from the 'in-between world'. But small influences are also stored, consciously or unconsciously. Nowadays, flowers feature in his work. "Probably because there are many flowers around my house in Bali," he says. His motto? "When you work with attention and love, it can never go wrong, regardless of the presence or absence of talent." Toebosch has created commissions for various companies, including DSM, Stone-Art, and the Mutsaers Foundation. A number of his paintings are also in the public collections of the Stedelijk Museum Roermond and the Museum van Bommel van Dam in Venlo.