Mixed Media 3D collage in acryl box, 2023, 57,5 x 13 x 38,5 CM

A Face Built from Layers and Time
In this 3D collage by Mart Visser, a human face emerges, constructed from wood, textile, metal, and paint. The portrait is not painted but assembled: layers are stacked, fixed, and partially released again. The face remains recognizable, yet at the same time fragmented and stripped of individual features. The materials bear traces of use and aging, giving the work the feeling of carrying its own history. The color palette is earthy and warm, with shades of beige, brown, black, and weathered white. These tones enhance a sense of calm and gravity, emphasizing materiality and structure. The portrait does not look or speak, but simply exists — solid and restrained.

Material, Space, and Stillness in a Plexiglass Box
The plexiglass box plays an essential role in the experience of this artwork. The transparent enclosure creates both distance and intimacy: the work is protected and isolated, yet fully visible. This gives the 3D collage an almost museum-like presence and strengthens its sculptural character. Vertical wooden elements and metal accents function as a frame within a frame, holding the face in place as if supported by its own construction.
The layered composition creates depth and shadow, allowing the work to be read differently from every angle. Within Mart Visser’s oeuvre, this piece aligns with his fascination with the human body, identity, and reduction. Through the use of material, texture, and reclaimed elements, the work represents a form of contemporary art that does not focus on classical expression, but on presence. A work that does not seduce through detail, but through cohesion, silence, and physical impact.