Theodor Schokker (Dutch, b. 1933)
Statica III, 1976
Aluminium

Created in 1976, Statica is an exceptional example of Theodor Schokker's early Constructivist period, when the Amsterdam-born sculptor explored the relationship between mass, balance and architectural space through a restrained geometric vocabulary. Forged from brushed aluminium, the sculpture rises from a compact base into a carefully orchestrated composition of vertical and horizontal planes, where solid forms alternate with precisely cut voids. Rather than occupying space, the sculpture activates it, allowing light, shadow and shifting viewpoints to become integral parts of the work.

Although rigorously geometric, Statica  avoids the rigidity often associated with Constructivism. The subtle variations in proportion and rhythm create a remarkable sense of equilibrium, giving the sculpture an almost weightless presence despite its industrial material. The work reflects Schokker's lifelong fascination with the invisible forces that govern the natural world—gravity, tension and balance—which would later evolve into his celebrated Physioplastic series.

Schokker began his career as a welder in post-war Amsterdam, a craft that profoundly shaped his understanding of metal and structure. Entirely self-taught as a sculptor, he developed a highly individual practice that bridges post-war geometric abstraction, Dutch Constructivism and Minimalism while remaining distinctly personal. Alongside his artistic career, Schokker became an important advocate for artists' rights in the Netherlands, serving as chairman of the BBK and playing a prominent role in campaigns for affordable studio spaces and public support for the arts.

With its refined proportions, architectural clarity and timeless materiality, Statica stands as a significant work from one of the Netherlands' most distinctive post-war sculptors. It represents an important moment in Schokker's artistic development and offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire a museum-quality example from his sought-after geometric period.