Thijs Jansen : House, Garden and Kitchen Paintings

After working together for many years, we are thrilled to present Thijs Jansen’s first solo show at Rutger Brandt Gallery. Titled House, Garden, and Kitchen Paintings (Huis- tuin- en keukenschilderijen), the show draws its name from a Dutch expression for something ‘ordinary’ or ‘unremarkable.’ Jansen’s latest paintings depict everyday objects and scenes from unusual and hyper-focused perspectives, transforming the mundane into something striking.

Jansen’s figurative pieces are surreal and dream-like in their content and form. He approaches his paintings as a kind of diorama or stage—an imaginary space where he manipulates details to evoke a specific mood or atmosphere. His creative process begins with fragments of memories or subconscious experiences, often drawn from public spaces, which he reinterprets into fresh, spatial compositions. Whether it’s a kitchen counter or a grocery store aisle, Jansen’s works are rich with whimsy, illusion, and emotion.

His paintings offer a contemporary take on genre painting, where the theme of everyday life is explored with irony and ambiguity. While his subjects may appear mundane or even provocative, Jansen elevates them in a way that transcends the ordinary. Rather than aiming for a literal depiction, he is more interested in capturing the memory or emotion associated with a scene—what lingers in his consciousness long after the moment has passed. Jansen’s paintings challenge us to see beyond the familiar, offering a refreshing perspective on the overlooked details of daily life.