Tijs Dragtsma (1992) - John Wick in Brass

Introducing “John Wick in Brass”

A luminous and resolute portrait of Keanu Reeves, The Legend, immortalized in his most iconic role as John Wick.

No paint, no print, no ink. His face emerges purely through structure, shadow and reflection. From afar his presence is unmistakable, focused and unyielding. Up close the image dissolves into abstraction, each brass nail catching light against the deep matte black of acrylic glass.

Solid brass meets darkness, a harmony of precision and emotion. The golden reflection of brass contrasts with the void beneath, a quiet balance between discipline and chaos, strength and loss.

Over time the brass may develop a natural patina, giving each work a living surface that evolves and gains character with the years.

As light shifts the portrait transforms. From the side it becomes sculptural and alive. From the front his stare returns, calm, measured, eternal.

This piece is part of the second collection of Art with Nails by Tijs Dragtsma, realized in a strictly limited edition of ten. Each artwork is slightly unique but always part of the same vision.

Framed in a handmade Dutch float frame in matte black wood with a brushed gold edge, signed and numbered on the reverse, this work stands as both homage and reinterpretation. A contemporary tribute to one of the most admired and enduring figures in modern cinema.

About the Artist – Tijs Dragtsma

Tijs Dragtsma is a Dutch contemporary artist and founder of TD Fine Art Studio, known for developing a distinctive visual language through precision, light, and industrial materials.

He is best known for his Art with Nails series, in which hundreds to thousands of brass or steel nails are precisely positioned using digitally controlled processes and finished entirely by hand. The resulting portraits balance raw strength with delicate detail, creating sculptural works in which light and shadow continuously transform the image.

Dragtsma began developing his artistic practice in June 2024. Since then, his works have entered private collections across the world, from Miami to Japan and throughout Europe, and are represented by several galleries. His rapidly evolving practice is driven by a desire to push material boundaries rather than follow trends, placing process, physical presence, and experimentation at the heart of his work.

He is currently working towards a period of major artistic expansion, with new techniques and international presentations in development, positioning this moment as the formative phase of a long-term artistic trajectory.

Each artwork is designed and produced in his studio in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands, and exists as a unique piece or in strictly limited editions.

His practice stands at the intersection of art, engineering, and innovation, with a focus on building a body of work intended to endure beyond the present moment.

Specifications
Title: John Wick in Brass
Collection: Second Collection of Art with Nails, Brass Edition 2025
Edition: Limited to 10 pieces, this is number 2/10
Medium: Solid brass nails
Background: Matte black acrylic glass
Frame: Handmade Dutch float frame in matte black wood with brushed gold edge, ready to hang
Year: 2025
Condition: New, signed
Includes: Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
Dimensions (incl. frame): 53 × 53 × 4 cm

For behind the scenes content and the creation process visit Instagram @tdfineartstudio or tdfineartstudio.com

A portrait forged in brass, silent in strength, eternal in presence.

This artwork is an independent artistic creation inspired by the legendary actor Keanu Reeves and his cinematic role as John Wick. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or produced in collaboration with Lionsgate Films or Summit Entertainment.