Van Veluw, born in the Bible-belt, with a grandfather who was a minister, has been fascinated with the church and its rituals since his early youth. Not only the complexity, conviction and certainty with which the faith was proclaimed in his congregation and the stark visual language of its practice made him sensitive to the visual vernacular of religious seduction.
Yet also modern spiritual movements, such as the well-known Church of Scientology, that use religious symbols in a convincing manner, intrigue him as well.Throughout the ages, in cultures around the world, religion has played an important role in the development of art, architecture and storytelling. Even if spiritually is ultimately immaterial, most people practice their faith in places of worship, and make use of sacred objects and perform sacred rituals. Van Veluw has meticulously studied the rich formal language and power of imagination that is used to lead people to religious faith.
Within this research, he is particularly interested in the aspects of the religious process. He chooses not to focus on political issues surrounding faith, but rather explores how the various faiths operate in the mind of the faithful through form and image. Similarly he investigates whether he, as an artist, is capable of provoking a convincing spiritual experience in the visitor. Through the use of light, symmetry and harmony—often utilized to depict the pursuit of divine perfection—as well as forms reminiscent of altars, idols and temples, he manages to evoke a sacral experience. The experience of walking into his installations resembles that of treading on holy ground.
Levi Van Veluw was born in 1985 in Hoevelaken. He currently lives and works in Amsterdam.
He studied at the ArtEZ Institute of the Arts in Arnhem. Since graduating in 2007, Levi van Veluw has produced multi-disciplinary works that includes photographs, videos, sculptures, installations and drawings. His works have been showcased in many locations across Europe and US, earning him a number of recognition and awards.
Van Veluw's works were presented in major museums including the Museum of Arts and Design New York, Marres House for Contemporary Culture in Maastricht, the Rijksmuseum and the Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town. In 2013 he published his book “Origin of the Beginning". This book provides an overview of the artist’s work from 2006 to 2013 a rich oeuvre that includes photographs, drawings and installations. Van Veluw's works are part of collections across the globe including The Borusan Collection in Istanbul and the Hèrmes Shop in New York.