Renate Verbrugge

Renate was born in Belgium .  During her childhood, her parents were often taking her to art galleries and musea, so her interest in art was nurtured from a young age.

 

She moved to New Plymouth in 1995 and shortly after she was introduced to stone sculpture by local artist Filipe Tohi.  Straight away she was captivated by this art form and through self study, she honed her skills in the first years of her practice.

 

Since then, she has participated in over 50 international stone sculpture symposia on all 5 continents and has exhibited her work extensively. 

 

“Sculpture has been a big part of my life for the last 25 years and  I am still loving every blow of the hammer, every cut of the diamond disc. 

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I believe that art has to provoke an emotion, be it positive or negative; it has to touch the soul of the viewer. 

 

My work  doesn’t need a deep analysis, it speaks for itself. The sensuality and feel-good-factor is evident in the generous forms of my girls and the viewer can not help than smile and be reconnected to their inner child.”