Episode 62: Talking with Robert Blokker

In this episode, which is coming at you a bit later than usual due to a couple of unforeseen reasons, your hosts talk with Robert Blokker, a loyal listener who lives in Alkmaar, a city located in the North Holland province of the Netherlands, known for its traditional cheese market. In addition to being a wonderfully gregarious fellow—Barry really enjoyed spending some time with him during World Model Expo in Versailles last summer—Robert, who works as a graphic artist, is a wonderfully imaginative modeler with a wide variety of interests—World War I to fantasy, busts to flats, 1/72nd figures to 1/9 busts—and a special love for dioramas.

And yeah, his work can sometimes be controversial, which prompted a conversation that, in part, hits on a key question: Is there room for provocative political statements in our hobby/art form?

Below: A few examples of Robert’s historical dioramas.

Examples of Robert’s flats, busts, and single figures.

And: Some of Robert’s political pieces, a few of which actually prompted threats of physical violence from the cesspool of social media. Not too many modelers can say that! But as evidenced by the photo of the artist that follows, he remains undaunted.

Because of the aforementioned unforeseen events, and because we didn’t want to delay sharing Robert’s interview with you any longer, we don’t talk about the MMSI’s 50th Chicago Show on the weekend of Oct. 17. We may or may not get to it in the future—Jim was, as usual, running around like a chicken without a head, overseeing the judging, and Barry and Joan were unable to attend, having been laid low by COVID (yes, it’s still out there)—but you can visit the MMSI web site to see a list of the award winners and some fantastic photos, and to order a copy of the lavishly-illustrated, 100-page 50th Show book compiled by Jim and Joe Berton, featuring every Best of Show winner from that half-century and the work of every Chicago Medalist, as well as plenty of candids from the club and the show throughout the years, a bargain at $25 postage paid!

Finally, some big news and very much worth a listen: Joan Biediger has launched her own podcast, Her Shrink Ray Eye, with her unique wit and insights and some perspectives sorely needed in our small corner of the art world. Check it out!