Local artist’s ArtPrize runner-up ‘The Prophets’ exhibit in Ferris State Fine Art Gallery through Oct. 25

Oct. 17, 2024

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — 

West Michigan native Robert Vander Zee’s nature-inspired artwork is featured in an
exhibition called “The Prophets,” displayed in Ferris State University’s Fine Art
Gallery through Friday, Oct. 25.

Fine Art Gallery Director Carrie Weis said Vander Zee is an “amazing artist, always
a pleasure to work with.”

“Robert explores themes of nature, spirituality, and the human experience. He is known
for his vibrant use of color and dynamic compositions, which invites viewers to engage
deeply with the emotions and narratives within his pieces,” Weis said.

“His style blends realism with abstract elements, creating a sense of movement and
energy. VanderZee’s work often reflects a connection to the environment, emphasizing
the beauty and complexity of the natural world while also addressing deeper philosophical
questions. Overall, his art is both visually striking and thought-provoking.”

Vander Zee is a world traveler whose “The Prophets” claimed second place in public
voting for two-dimensional works during the 2024 ArtPrize competition last month in
Grand Rapids. His other exhibition locales include Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana,
Ohio, Indiana and Michigan museums and galleries.

“Our current spiritual belief systems have provided us little guidance to the evolving
threats of climate change, extinction, and overdevelopment of the natural world. Most
of the spiritual practices that once connected us to nature were wiped out during
the expansion of traditional religion,” Vander Zee said. “The human species has largely
lost its spiritual connection to nature.”

He sees that connection as critical.

“Without that connection, we will fail to protect the very planet that nurtures us
all,“ Vander Zee said. “In this series, I have created a group of deities that offer
an opportunity for new dialogue. These deities are a symbolic guide to show us how
to save our planet, and therefore save ourselves.”

Ferris State’s Fine Art Gallery is free and open to the public on weekdays from 10
a.m. to 3 p.m. on the upper level of the David L. Eisler Center.