Melle de Boer (Delft, 1972) is a Dutch visual artist and singer-songwriter. He graduated from the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam in 1995.

His practice spans painting, printmaking, drawing, writing, and music. Within his paintings, he aims for abstract forms, leave smudged traces, and does not allow himself to repeat successful compositions. Such parameters enable him to circumvent the constant urge he has to seek approval in the viewer. Often, Melle has sought this ‘approval’ in the use of narrative and figurative elements, a tendency that lessens as he moves towards increasingly autonomous paintings. By creating an atmosphere of the unexpected, every work challenges his desire for life to be controlled.

Besides his work as an artist, Melle de Boer formed the band Smutfish in the late summer of 2002. The debut album Lawnmower Mind is considered the founder of Dutch Country Noir. From 2007 Melle toured Europe with Smutfish, and later on as John Dear Mowing Club, including accompanying Daniel Johnston.

Off Hook is happy to tell you that during the opening of this surprising exhibition Melle will entertain us with a special performance! See you at Off Hook!