Ron Weijers, Holland: Radical Pacifism
Weijers integrates mythological, archaic, political and religious content into his work. The work that is represented here is from his Radical Pacifism project. In 2015, I had the opportunity to meet Ron in Italy, where I first encountered his work. I found the fluidity of line to be the most compelling aspect of his work. His frequent utilization of string follows and accents line in graphite and oil, which he uses to create many of his pieces. I was able to learn about one of Ron’s recent exhibition projects, Radical Pacifism.
Ron has exhibited internationally in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, the Unites States, Slovenia and Croatia. His works occupy numerous private as well as permanent museum collections.
HAF: The concept, Radical Pacifism, sounds wonderfully idealistic Ron, but the track record of man on this planet is tremendously flawed given the identity we project, one that seems to thrive on violence rather than pacifism. How will a concept such as this be practical?
Ron: Ok, you got me. I´m proud to be able to call myself an idealist, and yes, for sure there is a strong essence of idealism integrated within this concept. Thriving on my freedom of expression, I developed the Radical Pacifism project in order to reflect on my aversion or antipathy to the use of violence in any form for any purpose. As a conscientious objector, who refuses to fight in any war for moral reasons, I took—for myself—relevant and active steps to undermine the principal of war with the Radical Pacifism project and to promote dialogue for permanent and universal peace.
HAF: Can ‘radical pacifism’ be achieved in our current socio-political position?
Ron: Well, historically, solving differences in arms seems to be a kind of deeply rooted DNA thing…so my answer would be a hopeful and wishful ‘yes’ on this one. And as an idealist, I would go for the stubborn promotion of pacifism.
HAF: What is the significance of historical, political and religious content, and how does it impact the need for radical pacifism?
History lessons have taught us that important thinkers like the Russian writer, Leo Tolstoy, the political and spiritual leader of India, Mahatma Gandhi, and the Baptist minister, Martin Luther King, contributed to pacifist ideology. They inspired movements for civil rights and freedom worldwide with their efforts to promote the ideal of peaceable arbitration in the affairs of nations and the creation of an international institution to achieve that. Regarding peace, one could evaluate the current global climate as a never-ending, pervasive need to waken awareness on pacifism. Generally, people tend to react and act pretty fast when it comes to blanking out the horrors that have already taken place in the past. Regarding the significance of historical and political content within this project, the message should be clear, I think. Ron Weijers
HAF: How does the aesthetic presentation of your work address radical pacifism?
Ron: My visualization and philosophy on the concept, can be enigmatic in parts. Quite often, they are deliberately dark and dazzling at the same time, and they mostly contain a highly potent mixture of symbolism that, in my opinion, works as an immersion booster. For example, I integrated distorted swatches of historical war destruction visual content from periodical Life magazines (1940-1945) into these new works to generate the sense of abstracted shapes. My goal is to share my views and thoughts with the public and to stimulate an open dialogue and discussion related to the pacifism option we are supposed to have and the radical pacifism concept and works. In general, the works will discharge a positive energy field from a distant viewing point, and they will reveal the actual and opposite details only by closer examination.
HAF: Tell us more about the show. How many works are included in the project: exhibitions?
Ron: The Radical Pacifism series and project consist of the following elements; the centerpiece of the exhibition, a large painting with mixed media on 440 x 260 cm (two screens) canvas; a series of 5 mixed media works on wooden panels (125 x 125 cm, 100 x 100 cm, 80 x 60 cm, 110 x 80 cm, 110 x 110 cm); a multiple of ten mixed media works on wooden panels on 30 x 40 canvas (vertical); the featured work with this article, a single circular mixed media work on (diameter 120 cm); an original camouflage canvas, 200×200 cm as under layer and an installation object.
Featured work: Radical Pacifism series – Ø120 cm – mixed media on wooden panel – 2016