Koos Knoopje

For over 30 years, Anton Bakker has been fascinated with algorithmic beauty hidden in the symmetries and patterns present in flowers, leaves, trees, crystals and every aspect of our natural world. His decade old quest to shape 3D curved surfaces of steel in monumental scale is shown in this sculpture Koos Knoopje. This figure-eight knot is named after his mentor Jacobus “Koos” Verhoeff (1927-2018), a Dutch mathematician, computer scientist, and artist. Anton worked with Verhoeff in the Netherlands before moving to the United States in the 1980s. Norfolk Botanical Garden also features a Verhoeff-style braiding sculpture created by Anton which is located at Baker Overlook. More info on Anton’s work can be found at https://www.antonbakker.com/