Things I know about Harmen Liemburg

12 Jan 2007 Category: Features, Graphics, Worldwide

Things I know about Harmen Liemburg

Harmen says ”I love you, Ringo- yeah yeah yeah!” in Tama-Plaza, Yokohama.

Harmen Liemburg is an artist/graphic designer/educator from the Netherlands. He is a natural image maker, creating challenging posters and printed materials that bring together a unique sense of form, collage, color, and composition. His work is exciting and weird – there is no ‘easy read’ to the bulk of his work – you need to spend some time with one of his posters to try to decipher what he’s trying to get across.


Poster for the Recordshow, a record collector fair in good ol’ Minneapolis, MN.

Poster for super amped design educator Santiago Piedrafita’s departure from Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

I met Harmen a few years ago in Los Angeles at CalArts having been introduced by our mutual friend/collaborator Mumbleboy. I hadn’t seen him again until recently - this time in Tokyo. Following a week of hanging out with the man during his time preparing to lecture at Kuwasawa Design School in Shibuya, I wrangled away some of Harmen’s time to talk about his work progress, screen-printing, lectures and why he is fascinated by whaling.

Written by Ian Lynam

First some things I know about Harmen Liemburg:

  • He has cute little crow’s feet next to his eyes that come out when he smiles.

  • Harmen’s final products are often screen-printed and involve a lot of layering, interesting explorations into form-making, and a love for the serigraphic medium.

  • He speaks of his family with reverence and love.

  • He has a great desire to work abroad, and has been busting his ass to make that happen. Harmen spent four months of this year teaching in Boston, the summer semester in Minneapolis at MCAD, followed by a lecture trip through different locations in the United States, and a lengthy lecturing and research trip in Nagasaki and the greater Tokyo area.

American roadkill awareness poster.

  • He likes okonomiyaki and yakisoba a whole lot.

  • He is enamored with Japanese art old and new. He loves old block prints and papercutting, as well as being smitten by the plethora of characters found on food packaging today.

Milky faces emerge in this wedding print for Harmen’s friend and old collaborator Richard Niessen

collaborative poster with Ed Fella - a tribute to the American graphic vernacular

  • He’s a charming character, is very direct, questions everything, and is quite frank.

  • He likes to camp and just get away from the rest of humanity when he can.

  • He is excellent to get smashing drunk with.

Harmen, now that you are here in Japan - have you found any particularly amazing pieces of graphic inspiration during your current trip?

Let’s say this trip is more for deepening and widening my already existing interests. But, you’re asking about graphic inspiration. I’ve gotten a little bit closer to some of my continual interests, like where to find woodblock prints on traditional Japanese whaling, and information on historical toys and other odd stuff. This time I’m looking with a more technical eye at the urban landscape, enjoying neon signs in daylight and keeping an eye out for common purpose educational posters in comic style.

The whales strike again! Harmen’s poster announcing his lecture “Offshore” at Northeastern University in Boston, MA.

Why are you so fascinated with whaling?

Did you ever read Moby Dick? Well, don’t get me started… I think my fascination has to do with the scale of things. Whales are the largest mammals alive known to man. They live all over the world, and everywhere they came close to man, there’s a long history of local whale catching.

Originally, for indigenous people, catching one whale meant food for a long period of time for a large group of people. It took group effort, collaboration and coordination to fight just one whale. That all changed when industrial whaling was introduced. I’m not talking about 20th century factory ships yet, but about 17th century Dutch sailing vessels in Greenland.

There’s a lot to it: biological, economical, historical, sociological aspects, advertising, adventure, etc… Whale oil lit the ‘civilized’ world in the 19th century, their bones made pretty ladies ‘prettier’ in their hula hoop/hourglass shaped dresses etc. All in all, it’s purely fascinating cultural material.

‘Heavenly Leader’, printed full color on silk for Orson + Bodil

How was your lecture here in Japan at Kuwasawa Design School?

I think it was good, or good enough. There was a large crowd, but Japanese students tend to be very polite and shy. They seem to have enjoyed it, but you never really know for sure. Also, the fact that every sentence was translated from Dutch into Japanese took the proper pace out of it…

lecture series poster for Northeastern University Boston

Because I’ve been using characters and graphics from public space in my work, especially Japanese ones, they had some good questions about copyright and such. There were some embarrassing moments for me as well afterwards…

Harmen rocking the mic in Los Angeles “At Random” event #1, presented by Sean Donahue and Jon Sueda.

Really? What embarrassed you at your lecture then?

I never learned how to draw creatively, nor have the urge to do so. Yet I want to make images. What I do is basically making collages in print from images I come across wherever I go. In effect, I kind of depend on the quality of material I find… That’s not always a negative thing: I never know what will come out of it myself, so every piece of work is a little adventure at it’s own right. On the other hand, I would like to produce a higher quantity of work faster. Every question about using existing graphics - be it from public space - confronts me with this dependence.

A peek into Harmen’s process: he photographed this bird painted on a sign.

Harry Potter’s extruded metal lightning logo comes along on the ride.

Assorted elements get traced and processed, then output to film or vellum.

Films get layered and arranged.

The final result: a screen-printed graphic mashup for Harmen’s L.A. lecture.

What are your goals in pursuing an aspect of your career as a lecturer/educator in the world graphic design community?

As an educator I don’t have developed a strong clear philosophy yet. I think my work might have a value as it touches folk art, ethnological, geographical and other topics, not necessarily graphic design as such. I like to think one part of my job as a lecturer is to share my enthusiasm and love for things of the common daily life.

Many students think that all answers come out of their G5. I’d like to show them that you don’t need to start with that empty white screen time and time again. I put emphasis to treat the computer as a tool, not a miracle box. You can start building your own library of images and interests right now in your local supermarket and continue to build from there. Inspiration and ideas for great work are literally lying in front of you.

Arbre/Album, a “tree/album” installation made of wood and screen-printed paper for the 2005 Chaumont International Poster and Graphic Design Festival

Souvenir poster from the “Ki-ki-ri-ki” installation at the 2005 Chaumont festival.

What exhibitions of your work have you done in the past already?

Previously I worked with Jennifer Tee for the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven, the Netherlands on a group show. My first solo-exhibitions was in 2005 at the Chaumont Graphic Festival in France. There I worked with the private “Collection Dutailly” that consists of 5.000 lithographic posters from around 1900 and forms the historical foundation of the annual graphic festival. Most of the exhibitions my work has been in until now are group shows, connected to festivals or other events.

’Super Swinging Swirls’ exhibition, a collaboration with Jennifer Tee: color separations for silkscreen print on cotton

silk printed cotton pieces sewn together for a huge fan at the exhibition: ‘Loves Lucious Slumber (Un)(Re) Veiled’ (Fan, height 4 meters, width 8 meters)

Is there any exhibition in particular that was a favorite?

I don’t know yet. I am much more focused on improving my skills and getting more experienced making shows and filling spaces. I think it’s very difficult job, tackling all those new problems all alone, but I’m pretty decisive to learn how to handle it.

You told me about an upcoming exhibition in the Netherlands. What is the plan and general idea behind that one?

The Dutch and the Japanese have a history that goes 400 years back. One particular person, Franz von Siebold, played an important role in exchanging both medical, technical, economical and cultural information between Japan and the western nations when Japan was still completely sealed off from the rest of the world.

The Sieboldhouse, a museum dedicated to the personality and work of von Siebold in Leiden gives me the opportunity to make a connection between their historical collections and contemporary Japan. I’m here in Japan to do some research, collect materials and ideas for the upcoming show.

some of Harmen’s darker thoughts…

Your work is obviously very much involved with sceen-printing. When did you start screen-printing and how did you get into it?

I got a taste of it in the third year of the Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, but I got hooked after my graduation project where I spent a day every week just doing prints whatever the result. I’m very grateful that Kees Maas, my former screen-printing teacher, gave me the opportunity to work in his studio after graduation.

What do you like about the screen-printing medium so much?

Ah! It’s fast, it’s ‘phat’, it’s direct, it’s big, it’s fairly cheap and it’s powerful and beautiful! I just love to juggle the color separations, anticipating how colors will work together. The best thing is to be in control of you own production. Being independent. If you’re printing yourself, you can stop, revise the colors and change everything in an instant. I think that’s what I like the most.

I always have a pretty good sense of what it’s going to be when I start exposing the screens, but while working, I always change my mind, just because of seeing the material. Besides that, it’s very physical, you can listen to music while working and it has a mediative aspect to it, as well. I think that a certain degree of craftsmanship just brings some kind of satisfaction.

Pattern for architectural application in the Dutch Tax Service’s new “Computerpark” in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn.

test print of foil on glass

One of your biggest projects so far was to get involved in the architectural ornamentation projects that you have been working on with DP6 for the Dutch Tax Service’s new “Computerpark” in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn. How did that come along so far?

That’s a real long-term project that started in 2002 when I was still collaborating with Richard Niessen. The second tower, Tower No. 2 is almost finished now, thank the Lord, and when I come back from Japan, I will start developing more ornaments for a new swimming pool near Utrecht.

The main challenge of this type of projects is the scale: you’re dealing with the future users of the building, the investors, the architects, the builders and the manufacturers. A very time consuming and complex process. But, at least, the result is monumental! I mean, that building will be there for 50 years or more… I really learned a lot from that first architectural job and hope to do more in the near future.


Installed glass pattern.

Sketch for floor indication - more on the design progress on Harmen’s website.

Did you actually think that you’d be involved in an aspect of architecture, as well as posters and more paper-based graphic design when you first started out?

The direction my career is taking is a surprise anyway. It’s been a long way from social geography and cartography to graphic design to the things I’m doing now anyway. When I started out to be a graphic designer I expected to work for clients most of the time, making books, house styles and what not.

Now, it’s more and more about making connections between cultures and about self-expression. Graphic design for me is in the best sense connected to art. My mentality and approach is that of an artist. It’s an ongoing adventure and hopefully a never-ending means to educate and develop myself, as I truly hope to the benefit and enjoyment of other people as well.

Thank you Harmen for everything! It was great hanging out with you and keep up the good work.

54 Comments

  1. Jippie, hier word ik blij van! ^__^

    Posted by: Fem on January 12th, 2007 at 10:31 pm

  2. Ik ook!

    Posted by: roeleveld on January 12th, 2007 at 10:57 pm

  3. uw werk is trouwens ook niet slecht, meneer roeleveld ^^

    Posted by: Fem on January 12th, 2007 at 11:37 pm

  4. b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l stuff

    Posted by: dirk uhlenbrock on January 13th, 2007 at 1:17 am

  5. Screen printers of the world unite and take over! Great stuff!

    Posted by: eppbot on January 14th, 2007 at 1:26 am

  6. great!

    Posted by: punktpunktpunkt on January 14th, 2007 at 6:00 am

  7. COOL!!!!

    Posted by: randy on January 15th, 2007 at 2:14 pm

  8. wow man, this guy is just something else!

    Posted by: Mitra on January 16th, 2007 at 2:14 am

  9. Another great one!

    Posted by: Michael on January 16th, 2007 at 12:44 pm

  10. Wonderful illustration!!

    Posted by: Balakumar Muthu on January 16th, 2007 at 9:57 pm

  11. Oh my Gosh
    Nice work he do!

    Posted by: Paavani on January 19th, 2007 at 2:46 am

  12. [...] A1one: 1st generation Graffiti in Iran Snack Nagako: Hybrid Salon only for Grown-Ups Haramaki! A granny item made fashionable Things I know about Harmen Liemburg Miya Masaoka: Music Experiments with Laser Koto TOP 5 Wi-Fi Toys At Home Illustration Series #11: Shantell Martin Illustration Series #5: Nobumasa Takahashi Illustration Series #1: Chris Silverthorn [...]

    Posted by: H-ART Pink Maniacs » Essential Graphic Design Literature on January 25th, 2007 at 1:00 am

  13. harmen, wat is het toch prachtig wat je maakt!!

    Posted by: mathilde de vriese on March 15th, 2007 at 8:46 pm

  14. God Harmen, you make me proud to know you… Great stuff.

    Posted by: Tirso on April 12th, 2007 at 9:10 pm

  15. hurrah harmen!!!

    Posted by: kindra on September 17th, 2007 at 12:16 pm

  16. my blog

    Posted by: maher diab on November 26th, 2007 at 7:48 pm

  17. [...] article up on PingMag about the life and times of Dutch design rocker Harmen Liemburg. Garage Gear’s [...]

    Posted by: Ian Lynam Creative Direction & Graphic Design » Blog Archive » 01.13.2007 on August 20th, 2010 at 10:05 pm

  18. thank you nice blog :)
    forex bank forex işlemleri forex şirketi forex ticareti parite işlemleri, forex bülten forex analizleri:)

    Posted by: FOREX on September 24th, 2010 at 6:57 am

  19. ik vind het fascinerend en prachtig, de wereld is beter af met harmen. hoera en dank je, je verdient heel heel veel succes harmen!!

    Posted by: peet on December 30th, 2010 at 12:00 am

  20. This is absolutly art and you are know this work, I must say impressive technique.

    Posted by: cctv kamera on February 27th, 2011 at 3:27 pm

  21. I want to see the many development of this site.

    Posted by: healthcare on June 14th, 2011 at 2:52 pm

  22. I want to see the many development of this site.

    Posted by: innovative healthcare on June 15th, 2011 at 3:35 am

  23. I like your way of thinking. Personal development and its many forms are really close to my heart. I also believe in getting different points of view on this subject to really broaden my thinking.

    Posted by: personal development on June 16th, 2011 at 5:28 am

  24. You have to be right here now in my head with all of the information you gave out.

    Posted by: weightlifting routines on June 17th, 2011 at 8:58 am

  25. Turbine Idroelettriche

    Posted by: energie rinnovabili on June 17th, 2011 at 11:28 am

  26. I like your blog. Thanks for helping me with my research. I am always on the lookout for good blogs and interesting posts.

    Posted by: Fast Cash Videos on June 19th, 2011 at 5:52 am

  27. Excellent details regarding cell phone location and in particular tracking cellphone.Looking forward to having access to new technology as it becomes available.

    Posted by: Cell Phone Location on June 22nd, 2011 at 3:39 pm

  28. Great Site, Excellent information

    Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on June 27th, 2011 at 11:53 pm

  29. Cloud Computing � Unified Communications,

    Posted by: InBound Marketing & Sales Consultants on July 15th, 2011 at 11:34 am

  30. succes in your online business

    Posted by: Get 125.000 visitors Free with Mighty Solos on September 27th, 2011 at 3:45 am

  31. [...] Interview in Japan op Pingmag [...]

    Posted by: HARMEN LIEMBURG | Image Festival Rotterdam on October 11th, 2011 at 9:22 pm

  32. EconomicTimes.indiatimes.com

    Posted by: Anonymous on October 19th, 2011 at 10:24 pm

  33. I’ve said that least 809250 times. The problem this like that is they are just too compilcated for the average bird, if you know what I mean

    Posted by: a809250 on November 4th, 2011 at 4:38 am

  34. Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Safari. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The style and design look great though! Hope you get the problem solved soon. Kudos

    Posted by: How to Gain Weight Fast For Skinny Guys on November 4th, 2011 at 11:44 pm

  35. [...] Harmen Liemburg | Pagina 30-33 | Zie ook PingMag Dit bericht is geplaatst in Boeken, Visual Literacy. Bookmark de permalink. ← Vis à vue [...]

    Posted by: Zichtbare Zaken | Creativity for Business | Vis à vue | Tegendraads kijken on November 7th, 2011 at 12:52 am

  36. http://www.happyseasons.gr Online Store

    Posted by: xristougenniatika on November 9th, 2011 at 9:00 pm

  37. Very Nice! makes me remind the coloured performance of the early pink floyd!

    Posted by: christian louboutin on November 10th, 2011 at 1:54 pm

  38. The ULTIMATE Weight Loss Surgery Resource

    Posted by: gastric bypass on November 11th, 2011 at 9:20 am

  39. Good Article …. Excellent !!!! visit automotive :-bd

    Posted by: Information Automotive on November 11th, 2011 at 10:57 pm

  40. whoah this blog is fantastic i love reading your posts. Keep up the great work! You know, many people are looking around for this information, you can help them greatly.

    Posted by: iPhone 4s Accessories on November 15th, 2011 at 6:12 pm

  41. Thanks for the interesting post. I swear, you learn something new every day.

    Posted by: professional bra fitting on November 23rd, 2011 at 7:22 am

  42. school of thai massage and spa certificaes Association of thai treditional medicine Appoved by the Ministry of Health

    Posted by: School of thai massage on November 25th, 2011 at 3:38 am

  43. Lorem sonyn wzwalkman sit amet, Cyber Monday Deals in Cell Phones & Accessories

    Posted by: technology on November 28th, 2011 at 5:02 pm

  44. wat a nice post

    Posted by: Movies and TV Series on November 30th, 2011 at 4:44 am

  45. Partaji Admin

    Posted by: Partaji.com - share the info ... on December 2nd, 2011 at 1:46 pm

  46. I’ve been browsing online more than three hours as of late, yet I by no means found any attention-grabbing article like yours. It’s pretty value enough for me. In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made just right content material as you did, the web might be a lot more useful than ever before.

    Posted by: Alexis Shinoda on December 5th, 2011 at 1:29 am

  47. Thank you so much for this content, Im so lucky and glad that I found this website, Please keep this website going and I will keep

    Posted by: The Visayas on December 10th, 2011 at 4:25 am

  48. Free link, text and banner advertising.

    Posted by: For free Advertising on December 20th, 2011 at 9:26 pm

  49. What do you think about the last comment? I’d love to hear from the author.

    Posted by: washington dc tour on January 3rd, 2012 at 2:53 am

  50. Thank you. O like this post. I would like to share at my facebook account.

    Posted by: zayifla on January 11th, 2012 at 8:16 am

  51. Thank you. I’ll sharing the post at my twitter.

    Posted by: Laptop Özellikleri on January 12th, 2012 at 8:32 am

  52. Online Store ego-T

    Posted by: ηλεκτρονικο τσιγαρο on January 12th, 2012 at 7:49 pm

  53. That is really interesting. What kind of improvement can you suggest?

    Posted by: titanium visa on January 24th, 2012 at 6:15 am

  54. Thanks for this post. It is very useful.

    Posted by: Biggfirma stockholm on January 26th, 2012 at 12:46 am

  • Share and Enjoy:
  • del.icio.us
  • digg
  • Fark
  • NewsVine
  • RawSugar
  • Reddit
  • YahooMyWeb
Previously on PingMag