Pepijn Simon

Pepijn Simon is a Netherlands-based artist who tries to, as quoted by him, “catch the person who reveals himself in the paint at that moment”. Humans being a central character, Simon explores the consciousness and mechanism of the psyche. He is not interested in exploring the outward manifestations of human life. The disembodied and faceless human figures portrayed by him have an awareness of the deeper truths of existence, death and misery. 

Drawn to visual art, Simon was barely 5 years old when he was introduced to a unique artistic experiment in the classroom. Their teacher made all students listen to music while painting. This had a profound impact on Simon’s conscience that he still remembers as one of the most important lessons of his life. Simon also studied photography at Fotoacademie Amsterdam, which he found to be limiting.

An innovative painting style, Simon paints without using any brushes. In fact, he turns to objects like old and twisted credit cards. He starts with a black painted canvas and applies white paint without sketching or use of photographs. Painting while the canvas is still wet, in Simon’s works, one can see the interplay between the material and the emotional subtext. His dexterous use of the cold and sterile aluminium enhances the effect of the work. Depicting bodies and faces that have been mutilated, cut and ripped, his oeuvre may disturb some but project a confident and thorough break from the conventional method that is an appreciating aspect.

Simon’s works have been exhibited in the U.K., India, Belgium, and Netherlands. His paintings are a part of art collections in the U.K., U.S., Germany, India, Belgium, UAE, and Netherlands.

Pepijn Simon lives and works in the Netherlands.