About my work
The atmosphere is important in my work. I’m always looking for a feeling of tranquility. The themes from which I work are anonymity and uniformity. I do not reproduce literally what I see, but what I feel at what I see. I create the situations myself; I do not try to make objective realistic images.
I want my works to convey a somewhat distressed feeling, but I also like to add some humour – not too much though, the image should not just be funny. I like it to be a bit uncomfortable.
The series of paintings of caravans shows the oppressed feeling I experience when I look at how a lot of people live and recreate; close to each other, with little privacy and a lot of stress. I find it very curious to line up together on a camp site. I don’t see it as a vacation, when you’re on a small piece of land, only separated from your neighbours by a lonely tree or hedge. I translate this feeling into an image where the caravans are extremely close to one another, where they are black or surrounded by huge wall-like hedges.
The same oppressed feeling is the starting-point of the series of the new residential quarters. I find it fascinating that the houses are obviously built with care; they look spacious and luxurious and they are made of fine materials. On the other hand are they situated on very small plots, on which people crowd together. What is sold is an impression of uniqueness, while in fact the houses are very similar and can be found in every village and city. Estate agents create an image of simple happiness and success; children playing, the sun shining, brand new cars. I like to paint another picture.