Tijs Dragtsma (1992) - Yoda in Brass

Yoda in Brass

Yoda in Brass is a sculptural work within the Art with Nails series by Tijs Dragtsma.
This is a unique work (one of a kind).

A luminous and timeless portrait of Yoda, the embodiment of wisdom, balance and inner strength.

No paint. No print. No ink. His form appears through structure, shadow and reflection. From a distance, his presence feels calm and enduring. Up close, the work dissolves into abstraction, each brass nail catching light against the deep matte black acrylic glass.

Solid brass meets darkness. A dialogue between power and peace. The golden tones of the nails echo light emerging from shadow, evoking the tension and harmony between knowledge and discipline, spirit and form.

As light shifts, the portrait transforms. From the side, the work becomes increasingly sculptural and dimensional. From the front, his gaze returns. Still and knowing. Measured and unmistakable.

The image is not painted or printed. It is constructed through impact. Each brass nail is placed with precision and intention, functioning as a structural element within a controlled spatial composition.

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

About Art with Nails

Art with Nails is a self developed artistic medium by Tijs Dragtsma in which imagery emerges through the precise placement of robust nails in brass or black steel. Rather than applying pigment, Dragtsma constructs form through repetition, rhythm and controlled force.

The works are built on white or black acrylic glass panels. This material choice is essential to the language of the series. The hardness of the metal and the fragility of the acrylic glass create a constant field of tension within the making process.

Each nail functions as an independent structural unit within a larger spatial composition. Together they generate sculptural depth, material contrast and a shifting interaction with light and shadow that changes with perspective and illumination.

The process demands technical control and physical precision. A single incorrect strike can cause immediate and irreversible damage to the acrylic glass. This risk is not incidental. It is part of the discipline and intensity embedded in the work.

Within the series, works are produced as unique pieces or as limited editions, depending on the concept and artistic direction.

About the Artist . Tijs Dragtsma

Tijs Dragtsma is a Dutch contemporary artist and founder of TD Fine Art Studio. His practice operates at the intersection of material, structure and light, with a strong focus on developing distinct artistic languages rather than following established traditions.

He is widely recognised for his Art with Nails series, in which hundreds to thousands of steel or brass nails form sculptural portraits that transform with light and viewing angle. Through precision and repetition, he translates digital mapping into physical presence.

Since beginning his artistic practice in 2024, his works have entered private collections across Europe, Asia and the United States, and have been presented internationally. His work is driven by experimentation, technical control and a long term vision centred on material integrity and spatial experience.

All works are conceived and produced in his studio in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands.

Specifications

Title: Yoda in Brass
Series: Art with Nails
Edition: Unique work (one of a kind)
Medium: Brass nails on matte black acrylic glass
Frame: Handmade Dutch float frame in matte black wood with brushed gold edge. Ready to hang
Condition: New. Signed on the reverse
Includes: Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
Dimensions (incl. frame): 53 × 53 × 4 cm