Basic Information

Name:Richard Doest 21 December 1942
Place of birth: Curaçao
Based in: Curaçao
Discipline: Figurative art / painting

EDUCATION

Doest is self-taught and has supplemented his practice with short courses and specialist instruction.
Portrait drawing with Antoine Ghering
Figure drawing with Joest Wanders
Figure and still-life drawing with Carlos Blaaker
Master class with Bart Pass
Advanced figure drawing with Annemieke Dicke

BIOGRAPHY

After completing his studies in the Netherlands, Richard Doest built a career as an engineer with Shell in Curaçao.
His career as a painter began modestly, although his artistic talent had always been present. He started by decorating small drums and maracas, and later painted benches, trays, and other functional objects. Largely self-taught, Doest also took several courses on the island to broaden his knowledge and refine his painting technique.
Doest is a figurative artist through and through. His travels across much of Africa strengthened his passion for representing his surroundings figuratively and deepened his knowledge and understanding of African culture. In his paintings of daily life on his native island, he seeks a similar closeness to local culture. He observes distinctive customs, music-making, everyday activities, and facial expressions within the Black community. Music is a particular passion, and he is also the largest collector of musical instruments in Curaçao.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2006 — Solo exhibition, Gallery Alma Blou
2014 — Nostalgia, Gallery Alma Blou
2020 — Nos Kultura, Gallery Alma Blou
2026 — Group exhibition, Landhuis Bloemhof