Joost Swarte and Swatch
Joost Swarte
is my favorite Dutch graphics artist. I have been a fan of his work for a
long time. So many things he has done already, from relatively simple adverts through to
playing cards, comic books, record covers, phone cards, stamps up to some great
architectural designs and much more. There are several websites out there that show you his work and
distinct style, I would advise you to pay them a visit. Joostīs qualities are now well
appreciated and there are lots of collectors collecting his work. His art makes me think
of Herge (who I also admire a lot) every now and then which is not so strange as they
share the use of the style called the "Klare Lijn" (Clear Line).
During the 90-ies he was discovered by Swatch as well. In 1998 a Gents Swatch and Maxi
by Joost Swarte where issued and I like them a lot, it shows his style and craftsmanship.
Here is a picture of the Swatch:
I have made some nice scans of the face and straps and edited them a bit to give you a better look at this work of art and to enjoy the little story he tells us:
The story ends like this: at the end midnightman, the last of the numberman,
seduces the queen of time. She is # one!
Very nice! This design makes me think of another piece of art by Joost Swarte we have on
one of the walls at home, it is called Hotel Alfabet:
That is a great limited edition numbered -zeefdruk- made in 1996. 350 pieces of it exist. On the Stripdagen 1998 Joost received the Stripschapsprijs. During one of the signing events he made this drawing for us:
I made a scan and colored it a bit. It is inspired on Hotel Alfabet and Dia Animado and of
course the two people in the picture are my girlfriend (Carolien) and me (Hans). At
previous signing events I also found out Joost likes to make his customers happy by making
beautiful drawings for them. I also have some signed comic books. Here is a drawing he
made for another fan, also involving a numberman:
On november 29, 1998 the jeweler
F.J. Driessen (Barteljorisstraat 1, Haarlem, 023-5320300)
organised a signing session with Joost Swarte for a maximum of one hundred fans.
From someone who went there and bought the Swatch I heard it was not very busy, actually they were the only
ones there... So maybe there are not a hundred pieces and maybe much less. She now has number 9/100.
The price was 100 Gulden. Please find a picture below:
I am sure you will agree his work is great. This Swatch would have been the best candidate ever for a special package, also to be made by Joost. It would have been fabulous. I will never ever understand why it did not happen. Even more since the number of special packages that have been made since then. I have a good idea who screwed up here but not good enough to let you know who he was. It does not give me the right feeling. At that time I think someone must have been thinking about making a lot of money instead of providing collectors with a great package at a small profit anyway. No proof for all of this but in the end we
are left without it.
My wish would be just that special package. Maybe something with a big numbered print. I donīt think it is going to happen ever. But then again, why not? There are still lots of Dia Animadoīs around and it could be done. Another chance would be if Swatch would ask Joost again to design a Swatch. That would be a good idea in anyway. Letīs keep hope for the future!
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Last revised on August 31, 2007 © 1996-2010 Hans van Buuren, all rights reserved.
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