Anton Heyboer - color etching - - Sold

Anton Heyboer was born on February 9, 1924 on the Indonesian island of Java. In his life, Heyboer was literally declared crazy, living as an eccentric without contact with the world around him. Living in his own cosmos, provided with no more than the basic necessities of life for him and his family. Making a mockery of the elite art circuit, but highly regarded by leading museums anywhere in the world.

In 1943, Heyboer was arrested by the German occupiers and put to work in the Prenz Lauerber camp. He once wrote about this, “The concentration camp was no worse than the parental home and society for me is no worse than either; too uncreative”. From an early age, Heyboer has had the urge to live a non-conformist life. After the war, Heyboer settled in Borger. Here he starts drawing, still in traditional style. In 1948 he met the painter Jan Kagie, with whom he wandered through France for several months, drawing and painting.

In 1951, Heyboer was voluntarily admitted to the Provincial Hospital in Santpoort for a while, to find protection against the normal in society that did not allow him to undergo the process of self-becoming.

Anton Heyboer developed his 'system' in the years after his admission. This system is his answer to living a long life, maintaining himself socially and gaining recognition as an artist. In this way he can undo his position as an outcast and scum, which had led to his isolation. The system is his work of art, that is his sign. The system is the starting point in all his works under the motto: “creation is the only living thing that is eternal”. It's the resurrection. It is his system that leads him to his brides. “Let's build our own playground where no one else will come, where we won't have to see people anymore.”