Ro Heilbron, as a man and as an artist, always shows his pure and warm compassion with the fates of his mates, where so ever they may be. Thus he succeeds to explore, even in the depths of misery, the unexpected beauty of consolidation, indeed of life itself.

There are art experts who, on good report, divide Ro’s artistic life in four Phases, namely:
• War and combats all over the world (1963- 1971)*
• The female as main theme (1971-1980)*
• Warfare in Latin America (1980-1993)*
• Beauty (1993 until the late nineties)*

What I would like to add to these characteristic divisions of his artistic preoccupations, is his great talent for presenting nature, such as trees and aquatic plants, in a most vivid and exciting way.
For example, he creates pictures in oil-paint that not only show a tree or its branches, but make a palpable to the extreme.
Maybe because the trees and aquatic plants invite you to touch them because of their erotic inclination.
I would like to point out that in his realm of sheer beauty, Ro Heilbron, is also a master of surrealistic scenes, as well as, enveloped in silence and suspense

Caribbean traditions rooted in an esoteric world of ghosts, blood, human embraces, mother and child toed together, as well as life and death meeting each other at unexpected venues, must have influenced Ro Heilbron’s works of art. He also explores the creation of vivid images of voodoo rituals, as well as splashing carnival scenes. By all means Caribbean cultural events.

His techniques are extremely varied. This may be the result of the fact that he, as a young man, started in Suriname, as a lay-out assistant and graphic designer. He gradually developed himself, coached amongst others by the famous Erwin de Vries, as a painter. The so-called classic, and therefore European inspired education in drawing and painting, as promoted by Nola Hatterman in Suriname, did not inspire Ro Heilbron very much. He preferred to develop his own artistic expressions and techniques as a self taught man. And rightfully so! He developed his own style and portrays his subjects in an incomparable original way.

Ro Heilbron has become extremely well versed in all prevalent lino- and litho cuts, etching, silk-screen prints, as well as oil-paints and acrylics. He has created wall paintings in Delfshaven, The Netherlands showing his fierce protest against racism, discrimination and neglect of migrants in the country.
Also very touching and equally daring mixed-media art pieces are amongst his creations; in particular made in his first and third periods, mentioned earlier. However graphic designing is his daily occupation, which he enjoys to the fullest.

Ro Heilbron is a real family man, who, to his great happiness, married his Muse, Jeanet.
This extraordinary stable and warm marriage was blessed with the birth of three daughters; Jeanine, Rosanna and Alida. A European or American fine art painter with a similar emotionally steady and lucky family-setting is hard to find.

Moreover Jeanet is Ro’s eternal source of inspiration that binds him on strings spreading from the dark and mystic earth, to heaven and sunshine, from birth-scenes and warm embraces, to carnival inspired dances, colored with old African drum-rhythms. Jeanet adores her husband, as we all witness whenever the painter appears together with her at his numerous exhibitions.

These exhibitions are taking place all over the world, but mostly in the Netherlands Antilles (St. Maarten, Curacao, Saba and Anquilla) and The Netherlands, Ro Heilbron's Motherland.
He has lived here in the city of Rotterdam, since 1970, the same year he left Suriname. The exhibitions regularly result in overwhelming enthusiasm among art collectors and art dealers. The exhibitions are usually opened by well known authorities and experts in fine arts and evolve into very gaily and social parties.

Music, especially jazz and kaseko is an indispensable factor at these exhibitions. It is a great joy to see Ro Heilbron at the opening of his own exhibitions; a visibly shy, but sympathetic and kind looking man mostly accompanied by Jeanet. His brilliant eyes cover the guest entering the exhibit space and welcome them cordially, especially if he knows them. And Ro knows so many people around the world! If you’re not yet a friend of his, you will surely become one, as soon as you have met him.
Ro has collected most of his speeches and his newspaper coverings. Shy as he is, these papers mean a lot to him, his wife and his daughters. But not only to them; information about Ro Heilbron’s work should be promoted more and get the exposure it deserves.

In 1995, The Foundation KROSBE and the Landelijke Federatie van Welzijnsorganisaties voor Surinamers (Federation of Social Organizations for Surinamese people in Holland) sponsored the production of his first book, dedicated to Ro Heilbron’s life and work. It’s title: A portrait of an Art Laborer.
However a second volume describing Ro Heilbron’s vicissitudes of life and fine art in the period from 1996 till now is recommended.

I think it is inevitable, that the last seven years have made a tremendous impact on Ro Heilbron, as well as on most of our own lives; The tragedies of assaults and terrorism and subsequent wars, with their ultrasonic as well as medieval methods and effects, genocide’s in many parts of the world, the strong divide between North and South, rich and poor, are now more serious than ever before. There is more fear of communication, traveling and flying now than we have experienced before. Clashes of civilizations, of which we all are being informed on a daily basis, in any kind of form, at breakfast-time or later.
Murderous attacks, ending lives without any justification, other than power play and weapon-display.
Today we are all living in a slow downwards spiral, not only financially and economically but also morally.
We therefore need to face work of fine art masters, who call themselves Art Laborers and Art Warriors.
Their creativity should show us how far and estranged we have become from hope for a better future.
Hence, they may lead s in developing the urge to improve our own standards. We can do it, especially when they show us why we have to.

In the Kingdom of The Netherlands in particular, the social divide between migrants and the receiving society is growing daily at a fast pace. Once a brilliant example for the rest of Europe with regards to harmonious community relations, this country is now engaged in a fierce debate on integration issues, of which the majority of people have its serious reservations, and/or pertinent dismay.

It now shows a collapse of the best intentions for integration of new immigrants.
Tensions grow, also between various migrant groups, and in the meantime the Government’s policy tends to neglect cultural and educational and social differences between the various people from developing countries, and those who are considered as the best developed and established population. Pride, prejudice and racism are booming were people were once communicating in a friendly way with each other about joint interest, and shared experiences.
These differences are enhanced by growing transnational loyalties between migrants, all over the world causing collateral dismay and fear amongst the established population.

Ro Heilbron must feel and see the present combats for equity, justice and safety, all over the world. And one may wonder how his reactions through his masterly creativity will be worked out and made visible to a large public.
One thing is sure, though Ro will surprise us, time and time again. With his talent to fight, and to show how dramatic the rich-poor divide is and will be. With his relentless search for beauty in life and death.
And not in the last place with his tremendous passion and love for mankind.

One may consider Ro Heilbron as the pre-eminent CARIBIST, a full-fledges leader of CARIBISM characterized by lively and energetic colors, by perpetual movement, by eroticism and by nonnegotiable contours, as well as dimmed perspectives, homesickness and changing horizons.

We may be assured that Ro Heilbron, inspired by his Muse, Jeanet, shall overcome any pessimism by creating a new whirlwind of brightly colored works of art;
Beautiful messages for better times to come.

Emil L. Samuels
Art Collector
October 2003