Tommy van der Loo receives this year the Culture Prize from the North Brabant Cultural Fund. The jury praises the Tilburg sculptor for the narrative power of his sculptures and the social themes he addresses with them. ‘The sculptures of Tommy van der Loo speak for themselves and leave an unforgettable impression,’ says jury chairman Maarten Hartveldt.
Tommy van der Loo graduated in 2011 from the Academy of Visual Arts at Fontys University of Applied Sciences Tilburg. He then completed his Art History studies at Radboud University Nijmegen in 2015. The knowledge Tommy van der Loo gained there is used to deepen his visual work. Since then, he has created dozens of sculptures; exhibited in museums and public spaces and included in private collections. Sculptures with a wooden base, to which various other materials are added. For example, artificial moss or wax, but also cotton balls, pins, and spices. Each sculpture thus evokes tactile tension.
With his work, Tommy van der Loo wants to cast a new light on charged chapters from the past. Although of Dutch-Antillean descent himself, his interest explicitly goes beyond colonial history alone. The sculptures encourage visitors to self-reflection. How do I relate to the other? Are we allowed to judge past behaviors with todays knowledge? And what would I have done in such a situation?
Tommy van der Loo succeeds time and again in creating iconic work that remains etched in visitors minds forever. Work that silently calls for critical questioning. ‘The sculptures of Tommy van der Loo are so convincing that no explanation is needed. There is a universal power emanating from them that touches everyone,’ says jury chairman Maarten Hartveldt.
The prize of €10,000 will be awarded by Kings Commissioner Ina Adema, also chair of the North Brabant Cultural Fund. This will take place in November 2026, during the opening of a presentation of Tommy van der Loos work at Museum Krona in Uden, which will be on display for two months.
About the North Brabant Cultural Fund Culture Prize
The North Brabant Cultural Fund (links to another website) annually awards the culture prize to a person or organization for special achievements and merits for culture and/or nature in North Brabant. Previous laureates include trumpeter Eric Vloeimans, actor and director Frank Lammers, choreographer Pia Meuthen, visual artist René Daniëls, saxophonist Paul van Kemenade, cartoonist Gertjan van Leeuwen (Gummbah), dance company de Stilte, landscape architect Frank Meijer, and theater director Madeleine Matzer.
About the Cultural Fund
The Cultural Fund invests 50 million euros annually in culture and nature. This money is used for more than 4,000 projects in the Netherlands, the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, and Suriname. With support from the Friends Lottery, Dutch Lottery, donors, and partners, the fund enables various initiatives. Foundations, associations, cultural institutions, nature organizations, and individual artists can apply for financial support. The North Brabant Cultural Fund is one of the twelve provincial departments.