Recently the Amsterdam-based contemporary artist Toto Blaauw debuted his new solo-exhibition Hello New World  at Pre Reserved Studio C in Amsterdam. The exhibition showcases the artist’s latest paintings, prints, mixed media and a stand-out installation, and invites viewers to rediscover themselves and the beauty of Mother Nature. Consider the possibilities of what our world could be and take an active role in shaping it. The New, Ideal world. What would it look like?

“This exhibition is the result of a period of healing and growing. I’m very proud of this series, which consists of 23 works, each of which tells a story individually and collectively and displays my versatility as an artist.” – Toto Blaauw

Hello New World is a reaction to the paradigm shift the world has taken in 2020.

We went through dark times coping with fear, isolation and separation which created a lot of internal struggles. With his vibrant colored work, Toto converted the dark energy flow into a bright energy flow by creating his own Utopia. A healing journey with surreal landscapes and cosmic stories. Where we can create opportunities to make things better, less mechanical and more magical.

Toto Blaauw is a contemporary artist and designer based in Amsterdam. Born in 1991 to an Indonesian mother and Dutch father, he has always been prolific with his drawings growing up. Later, when he studied at the Willem de Kooning Academy, he developed this gift and the skills to express his ideas to a broader audience. Although he dropped out of school before graduation, he made sure to build his portfolio before he left. From this point he took a more radical approach and started designing posters for the Amsterdam club scene and selling his own silkscreen to persevere. 

The last few years his work has received more recognition with art shows in Amsterdam, London, Tokyo and Kyoto. His work comes from a place where love, responsibility and cultural background play an important role. You can find references from pop art, surrealism, various cultures, music and his spiritual beliefs. Humor is used to give balance to the harsh realities of this world and vibrant colors to convey emotion. Duality can be found in his characters, symbols and his use of language.

For a deeper dive into the imaginative world of Toto Blaauw, don’t miss out on his official website and Instagram page.

photography: Jonathan de Waart