make us aware of the sacred nature of
our existence; to open for the viewer an
experience which helps lift the veil of
illusion of ordinary reality in order to
reveal the underlying spiritual dimensions
of life. My work often conveys a simult-
aneous sense of mystery and recognition
and invite us to explore the archetypal nature
of our human experience through insightful juxtapositions and metaphors. I hope
to leave the viewer with a deeper
understanding of who and why we are."
Rob Schouten was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. He spent his early years playing and exploring the docks and quays of this city's vast port, letting his imagination wonder about the countries of origin of the large ships docked there. The son of an interior architect, Rob developed an interest in form, shape and pattern...and loved to draw. After completing High School he enrolled in the School for Graphic Arts in Utrecht and studied printing and Graphic design, graduating in 1977.
In the summer of 1976, Rob spent four months hitchhiking through the United States an discovered this countries breathtaking wilderness, especially in the West. Memories of these places distracted his focus from his design work in the advertising firm which hired him following his graduation. Feeling his talents were being wasted, Rob quit his job and moved to the U.S., settling in Seattle, Washington.
In the spring of 1980, Rob began to make his living as an artist, selling his work at Seattle's Pike Place Market.
Three years later, he moved to Whidbey
Island, in Puget Sound and started to
pursue his career through galleries and
distributors, initially in the Seattle area,
Then in the San Francisco Bay area.
In order to reach a larger broader
audience, Rob and his wife Victory started
Great Path Publishing in 1988, the focus
of which was to publish and promote posters, greeting cards and journals.
"Skylands I" etching by Rob Schoute.
Feature articles about Rob's work have appeared in Magical Blend and Quest magazines, and his art has been on book and CD covers for Barbara Marx Hubbard, Cyrill Scott, Lama Anagrika Govinda, Steven Halpern, and many others. Most recently his work provided the stage backdrop and graphic identity for the Awakened World Conference 2001 in Palm Springs, California.
Aside from pursuing a personal career, Rob was a co-founder of the Seattle based Dharmic
Engineers from 1983 to 1999, this artists' group produced a number of collaborative art
works, most notably the Doorgani Project, an interactive installation of seven doors
representing the seven chakaras, as well as a number of outdoor natural environmental
installations. The Dharmic Engineers were the subject of a documentary film by
director Satchi Royers depicting both of there aspects of the groups' collaborative work.
Early influences on Rob's work were the Dutch graphic artist M.C.
Escher, the Surrealists Rene Magritte, Salvador Dali and 19th century Symbolist artists.
Perhaps more than these artist, Rob's work has been influenced by the work of Carl
G. Jung, Joseph Campbell and his own studies of numerous Eastern traditions, primarily
Buddhism.
Born December 22, 1956 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Degree in Graphic Design, School for Graphic Arts, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 1977.
Immigrated to Seattle, WA., 1979.
Helped found artists' group Dharmic Engineers, 1983.
Selected Exhibitions
2001 Featured artist - Awakened World 2001, Palm Springs, California
2000 Tibet Support - Chin Lin Gallery, Laconia, New Hampshire
Christmas Show - Bayview Gallery, Langley,
Washington
1997 Group Show - Dharmic Engineers & Lauraine Ayers-Briel - Bayview Gallery.
Langley, Washington
Waking Up - East/West Gallery, Mountain
View, California
1996 Group Show - Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, Washington
1987 Prayers for Peace - White Light Gallery, New York, New York
1985-87 Annual shows - Illuminarium Gallery, Corte Madera, California
1984-93 Group Show - Kirsten Gallery, Seattle, Washington
1984-87 Annual shows - Carolyn Hartness Gallery, Seattle, Washington
Collaborations & Associations
2000 Wolf Love: hand made book of poetry with poet Victory Lee Schouten
1998 Intaglio Workshop - Island International Artists, Anacortes, WA.
Designed and created visual environment
for Whidbey Island Poetry Festival, Langley, WA.
1997 Doorgani installation - Westlake Park, Seattle, WA., Artist Edge Festival, Seattle,
WA., Choochokam Festival, Langley, WA., Occidental Square installation, Seattle, WA.,
Dance on Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA.
1996 Communion nature installation - Big Rock Garden, Bellevue, WA.
1992 Psyclotron installation - Second Story Gallery, Seattle, WA.
1987 Quetzalcoatl Cathedral installation - Le Club Hit, Seattle, WA.
1983-present Darmic Engineers Periodic exhibitions
Cover Art: Books
Buddhist Reflections by Lama Anagarika Govinda
You Forever by T. Lopsang Rampa
Inner Journeys by Jay Earley
One Year Manual by Israel Regardie
An Ethic for the Age of Space by Lawrence LeShan
Jungian Archetypes by Robin Robertson-
Beginners Guide to Revelation
Beginners Guide to Jungian Psychology
Living the Wheel by Annabel Nelson
The Initiate by Cyril Scott-
The Initiate in the New World
The Initiate in the Dark Cycle
The Hunger of Eve By Barbara Marx Hubbard
Astrology and the Spiritual Path by Bruno & Louise Hubbard
Zanshin by Vince Morris
The Lotus in the City by David Fontana
The New Plague, Friends in High Places, Have Fun at Work by William Livingston
Cover Art: CD's
Deja Blues by Steven Halpern
In the Land of Dreams by John Huling
Ascension by Dean Evanson
The Gateway by Ralph Illenberger
Cover Art: Magazines
Quest (cover and article)
Magical Blend (cover and article)
Creation Spirituality
Common Ground
Nexus
Inquiring Mind