Atelier Les Deux Garçons

Overview of the work of leading Dutch art duo Atelier Les Deux Garçons. An intriguing mix of taxidermy, art, and found objects.

Atelier Les Deux Garçons is the artistic joint venture of Michel Vanderheijden van Tinteren and Roel Moonen. In this book, they celebrate 25 years of creating together. Their work is a mixture of taxidermy, bronze and objet trouvé; the results are collages that both enchant and bewilder. Their sculptures mirror the turbulence of our time, the struggle between humans and animals, the duality between beauty and confrontation. With three essays by leading Dutch art curators, this book shows us the themes that reoccur in the work of ‘Les Deux’, the urgency of their art, and the artistic evolution of their practice. The works in the book have been carefully selected by the artists themselves. An oeuvre which is far from finished, as ‘Les Deux’ still abound with youthful energy and artistic drive.

“Their works critique humanity’s disregard for animals, nature, and let’s face it, each other. But here’s the kicker: they deliver these truths with a sly wink.” - Edwin Becker, Van Gogh Museum.

“The method involves combining the inorganic (e.g., porcelain or other lifeless materials) with the organic (taxidermy), creating juxtapositions that are at once striking and unsettling.” - Dick van Broekhuizen, Museum Beelden Aan Zee.

“Whether you find their work terrifying or beautiful—or a combination of both—depends, I believe, on your perspective on life at the moment you encounter it". - Madelief Hohé, Kunstmuseum The Hague