When is a clog more than a clog?
When it is transformed into a work of art.
No longer banished to scrape along the floor in the dust and dirt, now the lowly clog has found its rightful place on a pedestal. And the woman responsible for elevating the wooden shoe to such heights is transplanted Dutch artist Patricia van Lubeck. Making her home in New Zealand these days, she has free rein and ample sunny weather to allow her to pursue her muse wherever it may lead her.
Fortunately for us clog fans, one of the side roads she traveled inspired her to rethink the traditional footwear of her homeland in novel and whimsical ways. She's graciously allowed me to reproduce some of her inventive shoe art here, but by all means pay a visit to her own website. Her clogs only scratch the surface of her versatility and variety as an artist. Just like a visit to a brick and mortar art museum, a brief promenade through her online gallery is full of many "Wow!' moments.
ECHID: What inspired you to create such whimsical clogs? I feel as though you were just having some fun with a national symbol. But is there more behind your vision?
Patricia: I needed to create a gift for an American friend. I wanted a mix of something Dutch and something artistic, so I ended up with the clogs with the flames. The friend was somewhat into the hot rod car scene. It turned out so funny that automatically my mind wandered to other themes.
ECHID: What do the traditional wooden clogs symbolize to Dutch people? A sense of pride? Or heritage? Or history? Can you explain to those of us in the rest of the world what the significance of clogs is to someone from The Netherlands?
Patricia: I have some doubts about the feeling of pride of Dutch people. They think 'pride' is another word for 'chauvinism', so sadly they are quite afraid to show a natural pride about their heritage. Sometimes they seem to be ashamed to be proud as though it is something 'childish'. Nobody wears wooden shoes in public anymore. Maybe some farmers use them on the land, but then only as a working-shoe.
ECHID: Where did you get started with these art clogs?
Patricia: I started to create these clogs in the Netherlands in 2002 in the backroom of my art gallery (in the silent hours with no visitors). They were quite a success and I estimate I have sold at least 100 pairs.
ECHID: Were they all different? Or did you create some styles more than once?
Patricia: Every model ever made, is visible on my website. So, a few of them have been made more than once.
ECHID: What was the hardest pair to create? And why?
Patricia: The hardest ones were the Cadillacs because there was added a separate piece of wood at the side. That is always a tricky part [that can easily] be broken off, so I only made this pair twice.
ECHID: Which pair are you the most proud of?
Patricia: I think the Sporty, the Salsa (black and white) and the Mama's because they are still a shoe. They are only ones changed into another kind of shoe. The other ones are 'decorated'.
ECHID: Did you ever make a pair to wear for yourself? What was it?
Patricia: No ... I'm Dutch ... ;-)
ECHID: Do you still take commissions for a pair of art clogs? (Just in case one of my readers might be interested in purchasing a pair.)
Patricia: I don't create them anymore because it is way too much work for the money I could ask for. I created them until 5 years ago, and those days I didn't dare to ask more than 180 euro for the most difficult ones. For the time I need to create them, I should have doubled the price.
Another problem is that I need to import the blank clogs from the Netherland to New Zealand ... and then [usually] send them back overseas. The shipping costs are a bit high.
ECHID: You make your home in New Zealand today. How did you end up there? Did you leave Europe in search of better weather? : )
Patricia: Yes, for the weather. I also could have ended up in Spain or Italy, but I'm too lazy to learn a totally new language. It was case of cross off: weather, language, a culture that is not too different and of course the possibility to get in. Not every country is easy to let in new citizens.
ECHID: I realize I'm focussing rather obsessively on just one segment of your creative work. Tell me more about other things you create. What other kinds of art projects are you working on today?
Patricia: My paintings are still my first focus. For years I created surrealistic landscapes, but there's a wind of change. Next year you will find some close-ups of insects. They will bring up the same questions as if you look at the landscapes; "what part is real?"
Another thing I wish to do soon is finally use my ceramic kiln. I love to work with clay, but it needs a 'resetting' of my mind in a busy time. At the same time that 'resetting' is heavenly!
I've see some of Patricia's clog art on the web before. And now have an even higher appriciation for her work thanks to your insightful interview. Too bad she's no longer making them. I hope they live a longtime on your blog for other fans to see and read about her.
Posted by: Scott Nobac | 12/11/2009 at 05:03 PM