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Masters to Watch: Lothar Vigeland son

MASTERS talks to prominent figures in the business world, including Lothar Vigelandzoon. A visual artist, Lothar has been making art for about 16 years and, according to himself, owes his success to four things: a portion of luck, the talent to make art, his marketing sense and the fact that he wants to make people happy with what he does.
John van Helvert

Harmony

"I was born in Paramaribo. When I think back to my childhood, I feel the warmth and see a lot of diversity of origins, while at the same time harmony prevails. At age 20, I left Suriname. I wanted to focus on the computer world, something that was just starting to take off at that time. A letter to IBM was soon written, and with only some "pocket money" in my pocket, I started my adventure in Groningen. I ended up working for IBM for thirty-seven years. My drive got me where I wanted to be. I climbed from technical employee to manager, then in 2000 I was sent to France for the second time to set up IBM Mobile Security Solutions. Three years later, I thought enough was enough and retired at the age of 58."

Challenge

"Yes, retirement ... I thought I would now concentrate entirely on golf as a 'single handicapper,' but after a year I knew that wasn't quite it. I missed working in a team, the creative and solution-oriented thinking. Because of an artist friend who made bronze sculptures and took me to the bronze foundry, I became enthusiastic right away. It was a very interesting process with many challenges. I worked there for six months, without pay, to learn the process Until then I was an "art barbarian. I was given a bit of wax to take home, creating a few sculptures out of nothing. In Vence on the southern French coast, where I partly live, I was approached by a gallery. They had seen these sculptures of mine at the foundry and wanted to exhibit them for me. Pretty soon they were sold. This was followed by a gallery in Paris. At an upscale hotel in Monaco, sculptures of mine were also exhibited and many sold. At one point I got a call from Gallery Bartoux, a gallery where only well-known artists ended up. They had seen my fruit sculptures in Monaco and asked if I would send seven pieces to the Courchevel branch. Within a few months, they were all sold. Bartoux saw a great future with me and was eager to invest in large sculptures. Then began a very busy and interesting time. A second career was born. In art I can express my passion. Perfection is a high priority for me. By experimenting a lot, I have managed to patina natural colors. Like my cherry red cherry. The cherry has become my signature. The colors and the look are special and immediately hold the attention. Demand is so great that waiting lists are forming. But the cherry is only one part of my creations. The sculptures radiate warmth and sometimes a touch of sensuality, which is caused by the round shapes that stimulate the imagination. Without art training and often by burning my fingers, I have reached this level. Abroad, my bronze cherries are sold as 'The Juwels of Lothar,' which is very honorable."

Winner

"I have been making art for about sixteen years now and have an international company where five people work for me. I owe the success to four things: a portion of luck, the talent to make art, my marketing sense and the fact that I want to make people happy with what I do. How many sculptures do I make per year? It depends on the size of the projects. For a four-meter high sculpture for the headquarters of Jumbo in Veghel I spent eight months. For Jumbo-Visma in Den Bosch I am now working on a sculpture that has to portray 'the winner'. I am aware that I am in a privileged position and always find it a challenge when I am asked for a project. The project that is in my head then has to be executed and that is quite a process, sometimes trial and error. But when the unveiling has taken place, the "stone" falls from my shoulder and I think: how wonderful that I can contribute and leave something like this behind, sculptures with a meaning. The sculpture Vol Vertrouwen (Full of Trust) that stands in the Groene Hart Hospital in Gouda is another fine example. Many patients draw hope from it and I regularly receive thank-you notes in my mailbox. Thanks to a lot of perseverance, passion and drive, many people around the world can now enjoy my creations. That is then surely the icing on the cake of my second career."

Curious about all the visual artist's work? Check out his website here.

MASTERS EXPO 

Admire the art of Lothar, represented by Art Gallery 11M at MASTERS EXPO. From December 8 to 12 in RAI Amsterdam: MASTERS EXPO - The Colourful Edition. Ticket sales for MASTERS EXPO 2022 have started. Order your tickets here.