Widely regarded as one of the most important Dutch sculptors of the twentieth century, Carel Visser (1928–2015) continually expanded the boundaries of sculpture through his use of unconventional materials. Alongside his celebrated sculptures, he developed a remarkable body of drawings and collages in which everyday objects became vehicles for exploring rhythm, balance and material presence.
Created in 1991, Hoog Vlieger (High Flyer) combines graphite with found packaging, wrappers, sticks and string in a carefully orchestrated assemblage. Suspended against a meticulously worked graphite ground, these ordinary materials are transformed into a dynamic composition that balances tension, weight and movement. The contrast between the richly textured graphite surface and the ephemeral nature of the discarded objects creates a work that is at once playful and rigorously constructed.
Rather than elevating precious materials, Visser embraces the expressive potential of the everyday. Echoing the sensibilities of Arte Povera while remaining distinctly his own, he allows humble fragments to acquire sculptural presence through their placement, relationships and physical character. The work demonstrates his enduring fascination with the dialogue between the natural and the manufactured, permanence and transience.
This collage originates from the Richard Foncke Gallery, Ghent, with whom Visser worked closely during this period. Together with the sculpture Tweelingzusters (1991) and the graphite drawing Boom (1993), it forms part of a significant group of works from the artist's mature practice, illustrating the close relationship between his sculptures and works on paper.