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Artwork: Dirk Dobber, 2023

A artwork by Bobbi Cleij. It is a life-sized figure that 'floats' in the grass of Boeimeerpark on a mound of water in its red swimming trunks.

Glazed ceramics and concrete, 230 cm x 170 cm x 90 cm

Original description:
The initial idea for this sculpture arose from the observation of a cheerful, bulging beer belly jutting above the water's surface. While walking in the park, Cleij heard about the times when the area is used as a ‘spillover’ for De Mark during high water. She saw the various ways in which people unwind in this park: cycling a lap, walking their dog, having a sandwich, or chatting with someone. With Dirk Dobber floating in his red swimming trunks on the water, she emphasises the importance of such moments of relaxation in this hyperactive time.

Dirk Dobber is a life-sized figure made of ceramics, 'floating' in the grass of the Boeimeerpark on a mound of water. 

Bobbi Cleij (Delft 1998) graduated in 2022 from the Academie Sint Joost in Breda, creating cheerful, sometimes even whimsical figurines that she modelled in clay and glazed in bright colours. They are everyday observations that intrigue her, moments when the small human element shines through the usual façade of perfection. She attended an intensive workshop week on art in public spaces at KunstLoc Brabant. The small clay sketch proposal she subsequently created on commission from the Municipality of Breda was enlarged under the guidance of foundation KOP and in collaboration with the ceramics workshop Struktuur 68 in The Hague and studio Luigi Zuliani in Zoetermeer to become this life-sized ceramic sculpture.

Boeimeerpark

In response to a call from the municipality of Breda, Bobbi submitted her idea for an artwork in Boeimeerpark. Her cheerful 'Dirk Dobber' was selected. With support from the Kunstenaars Ontwikkel Platform KOP and in collaboration with the ceramics workshop Struktuur 68 in The Hague and studio Luigi Zuliani in Zoetermeer, Bobbi developed her small clay sketch proposal into a life-sized ceramic work for the park. According to the municipality of Breda, the new artwork fits seamlessly with the theme 'city in the park' and is part of a planned art route through Boeimeerpark.

The Art Commission
This initiative, realised by KOP (Kunstenaars Ontwikkel Platform) in collaboration with the Municipality of Breda, is part of the talent development trajectory The Art Commission from Kunstloc Brabant, focused on art in the public domain.

The photos were taken by Jeroen van Eijndhoven.

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