Basic information

Name: Anthony (Anton) Vrede, 6 December 1953
Place of birth: Curaçao
Based in: The Netherlands
Discipline: Painting, printmaking, illustration, and sculpture

BIOGRAPHY

Anthony (Anton) Vrede is a Curaçao-born artist of Curaçaoan-Surinamese parents who lives and works in the Netherlands. Working across painting, drawing, printmaking, watercolor, collage, painted ceramics, and sculpture, he has developed an expressive, figurative visual language that at times approaches abstraction.
Animals play a central role in Vrede’s work. Apes, penguins, elephants, giraffes, and leopards appear as humanlike figures, often dancing or playing against vivid backgrounds. Through energetic brushwork and color, he creates a seemingly naïve, fairy-tale world in which each animal carries its own meaning. The elephant is especially prominent. His images explore how he experiences people, the universe, and the act of seeing.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

Solo Exhibitions since 200

2026    Curaçao Museum, Curacao
2019    Galerie De Rivier, Rotterdam — drawings, ceramic bowls, and plates
2016    Gallery Alma Blou, Curaçao — paintings
2012    Hommes on Location, Kunstweekend Charlois, Rotterdam
2007    Noah’s Ark, Galerie Atelyriek, Oosterhout, the Netherlands
2007    Landhuis Bloemhof, Curaçao

Group Exhibitions since 2000

2025    Zwarte Pracht: Visual Power from the Caribbean, Slot Zeist, Zeist
2021    Among All Essence, China-Europe Art Exhibition, Jiushi Art Museum, Shanghai
2021    Everything Is Possible, Public Works Rotterdam 2021, Maastunnel, Rotterdam
2018    The Netherlands Blue & White Porcelain Era No. 2, Shanghai Urban Planning
2015    Ravesteyn Sculpture Garden, Heenvliet — Corten steel sculptures
2014    The Great Last Minute Art Fair, Galerie Hommes, Rotterdam — Corten steel sculptures
2010    Antepasado di Futuro: Curaçao Classics Visual Arts 1900–2010, Curaçao Museum
2008    Anansi, Galerie 23 — with Remy Jungerman and Yvonne Metzemaekers
2004    Gallery Pauw — with Helen Martina and Botty Sanches

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Monkey, Hare, Penguin, Elephant … 1992–2002. ISBN 90-77238-01-8
1987    Sketchbook 1986–1987.  Bébert. ISBN 90-70370-84-0
1985    Weemoedt & Vrede. ISBN 90-70370-37-9

Selected writing about the artist

2025    Michiel van Kempen, “Environment: The Human in the Beast,” in Zwarte Pracht: Culture from the Former Dutch Colonies. Amsterdam: Van Oorschot, pp. 433–439. ISBN 9789745242326
1991    Jos de Roo, “Anton Vrede: ‘Let Me Be Who I Am,’” Amigoe, Curaçao, 26 October 1991. Available online via Delpher
1980    Bertus Schmidt, “‘Living the Way I Have To Is Suffocating’: The War of Anton Vrede,” Het Vrije Volk: Democratic-Socialist Daily, Rotterdam, 1 February 1980. Available online via Delpher

AWARDS

1978–1980    Drempel Prize and a grant from the Rotterdam Arts Foundation

SELECTED PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

The Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Marten