Justus Donker

Justus Donker, born in 1966 in Rotterdam, is a versatile artist who, along with his brothers Aad and Gijs, discovered a passion for art at a young age. Together, they embarked on careers in art, experimenting and developing their own unique styles. In 1989, Justus joined the influential art collective After Nature, founded by artists including Peter Klashorst and Jurriaan van Hall. This group aimed to revive realism by drawing inspiration from classical masters but with a fresh perspective on contemporary life. Following After Nature’s disbandment in 1992, Justus continued painting with his brothers under the collective’s name, traveling frequently to the United States for exhibitions and interactive Action Painting shows. However, the sudden passing of his brother Aad in 1998 deeply impacted him, leading Justus to stop from his art work for a time. In the rural surroundings of Groningen, he eventually found new inspiration and returned to painting, giving his life and art a renewed direction. Currently based in Barcelona, Justus has co-founded The MZZL Bros, a new international collective, with fellow artists Dhire! and Kobe de Peuter. This collective embraces a positive, collaborative spirit, emphasizing dynamic engagement with audiences and other artists, where creative interaction is as important as the final artwork. Through The MZZL Bros, Justus Donker continues to thrive artistically, channeling his creativity into a collective vision that celebrates art as a shared process.