Rob de Vries

… or do you prefer a Vanilla Vlaflip? is a work that captivates through its unerring photorealistic precision. Rob de Vries uses a clinically pure light to analyze the physical nature of glass and its contents down to the smallest detail. The technical brilliance, reminiscent of the cool aesthetic of Ralph Goings, gives the object a physical presence that goes far beyond mere representation. The mundane is thereby isolated and elevated to the status of a monumental, almost timeless art object.

The representation in this painting from the series Memories of a happy childhood makes a tall dessert glass the main protagonist. Particularly impressive is the painterly rendering of the various textures—from the creamy yellow of the pudding to the pure white of the yogurt and the deep red of the fruit sauce at the bottom. The spoon, protruding at an angle from the mass, lends the composition a narrative touch, as if the moment of enjoyment had only just been interrupted. Within the series, the image serves as a nostalgic symbol of the carefree security and familiar tastes of a happy childhood.