About Rafael
I am a Delft-based artist working primarily in oil paint, ink, and watercolor, with nature always at the heart of my work. The biodiversity crisis and climate change are central themes, driving me to create art that tells stories of the natural world under pressure.
Early Inspiration
Growing up on the outskirts of Arnhem, I spent most of my time outdoors, exploring forests, heathlands, and the Rhine’s floodplains. My grandfather taught me to observe my surroundings closely and introduced me to watercolor and woodcut techniques. These landscapes became my first subjects, and I was encouraged to experiment with artistic expression.
From Science to Art
During my biology studies, I realized that no place on Earth is untouched by humans. As a bird researcher, I saw firsthand the challenges facing wildlife. By working with meadow birds on a Dutch Wadden Island, I understood that storytelling plays a crucial role in conservation. This realization led me to shift from scientist to visual artist.
Art as Advocacy
A minor in photography at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague refined my visual storytelling. In 2023, I was selected for an art residency on the UK’s most remote inhabited island, where I began a series on local puffins threatened by climate change, an ongoing project that continues to bring me back to the island.
Exhibitions and Recognition
My work has been exhibited in institutions such as Museum De Fundatie, Rijksmuseum Muiderslot, and Stichting Artworlds. My sold-out debut solo show at the Natural History Museum of Rotterdam (2020) featured monumental oil portraits of vulnerable meadow birds, gaining national media attention and raising significant funds for their conservation.
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