Harmen Liemburg’s layered work is based on collage techniques. Always looking for suitable graphic elements, with a focus on public spaces and popular, material culture. Traffic signs, packaging designs, corporate logos, old book illustrations, anything can potentially be used.
Much time is spent translating the raw material into scale-independent vector drawings. This process creates flexible building blocks that are converted into colour separations for screen printing. A design often starts with an inventory, where perceived clichés and trivia are not shunned. Where it ends determines the working process. Bringing together elements from different areas creates new meanings and storylines. This makes each project a graphic adventure in itself.
Since his final exam project as a student at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in 1998, screen printing has been the common thread in Liemburg’s practice. He likes to share the experience he gained from printing his own work with art and design students and professionals. Currently mainly in the form of project weeks at art academies at home and abroad, or tailor-made workshops/master classes.
Some of Liemburg’s work is integrated into architecture and interiors. Latest and so far largest project is Flyways, which depicts the lives of various bird species. At station Noord, part of the North/South line in Amsterdam, you can literally walk over his work.
