Last Sunday Raoul Deleo’s solo show “New Discoveries” opened at gallery Untitled, at the Koningsveldestraat in Rotterdam. The exhibition shows new Terra Ultima paintings that arose from two expeditions to the mysterious continent undertaken by Deleo this year.

The opening was accompanied by the wonderful musical soundscapes by Susobriono.

To introduce the audience to the continent of Terra Ultima, Roland Vonk interviewed Deleo about the whereabouts, the wildlife and other specific details encountered by Deleo on his travels through this unknown territory.

One and a half week ago Raoul Deleo returned from an expedition to Terra Ultima funded and commissioned by the University of Amsterdam. Before departure, he browsed for inspiration through their impressive heritage collection and laid eyes on many precious natural historic objects.

With all these beautiful items in the back of his mind, he arrived, at the end of this summer, at Terra Ultima and after two weeks he encountered a new species that really intrigued him. The animal harbours multiple ways to look at it and reminded him of an image used in an experiment by psychologist Joseph Jastrow. Jastrow concluded that in the act of seeing we use our brain as much as our eyes. So while perceiving the world around us it might be important to be aware of the difference between what we “know” and what we “see”.

The painting Deleo made of this animal was presented yesterday at the University and will be included in the VU art collection. 
Deleo: “I hereby introduce, to the rest of the world, a new species named Pinguilagus peusdopticus (Eng. Lapin Guin). Hopefully you too will share the same fascination that I had when discovering this captivating and beguiling animal.” 

Last weekend, during the Art Route Kralingen, I opened the doors of my studio for the second time. And again I was happily surprised to see so many people had made an effort to visit my studio. Despite all the rain on Sunday! Thank you all for coming! Your heartwarming interest and comments were delightful!
Hope to see you all again next year (or sooner)!

This Saturday and Sunday, October 5 & 6, I will open my studio again for everyone who wants to come and see my (new) work and the place where it is made.
I will show work and sell artprints, original paintings and drawings made for several projects.

At the moment I’m busy working on a piece ordered by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and new works for my exhibition later this year at gallery Untitled.
My studio is located in Rotterdam in an old school building, situated next to the river Maas and surrounded by a tiny patch of nature.

The address is Nesserdijk 406.
Please feel welcome, both days between 12:00h and 17:00h.
I’m looking forward to your visit!

Warm regards,

Raoul Deleo.