Holey Grail is a monumental sculptural work by Annet Gaaikema, created in the 1980s and conceived in the spirit of mystery. Carved entirely from wood, the sculpture possesses a quiet, almost ritualistic presence, standing somewhere between object, symbol, and contemplation.
The form is composed of stacked, rounded volumes that rise with calm authority from a solid base. Its silhouette recalls archetypal vessels, reliquaries, or ceremonial objects forms that feel timeless and inward-looking. The gently domed upper element crowns the sculpture with a sense of enclosure and protection, while the subtle transitions between the volumes emphasize balance and proportion rather than gesture or movement.
Time has endowed the surface with a rich, warm patina. The wood bears traces of its making and aging, revealing depth, tactility, and an organic softness that invites close viewing. Light moves slowly across the curved planes, reinforcing the sculpture’s meditative quality and lending it an almost architectural stillness.
True to its title, Holey Grail suggests absence as much as presence. It resonates with ideas of containment, reverence, and the unknowable an object that does not explain itself, but quietly holds space. This is a work that rewards silence and duration, revealing its strength through restraint.
About the Artist
Annet Gaaikema is a Dutch sculptor whose work is rooted in material sensitivity and elemental form. Her sculptures often explore archetypal shapes and symbolic resonance, favoring clarity, weight, and proportion over narrative. Working primarily in wood, Gaaikema allows material, time, and process to play an essential role, resulting in objects that feel grounded, contemplative, and quietly powerful.
Condition
In excellent condition, showing a rich and warm natural patina.
Details
Artist: Annet Gaaikema
Title: Holey Grail
Period: 1980s
Material: Wood
Dimensions H 54 x W 36 x D 25 cm
Stock nr 01200126OH
Specifications
ConditionExcellentColorsBrownMaterialWoodNumber of items1OrientationPortraitArt sizeMediumHeight54 cmWidth36 cmSigns of usageScratches