What's this actually about, Erica?

Last week I had an interesting conversation about the series of works I am currently making. The question I was asked was what the story is behind this series. Why paintings of origami animals? When I start a new series, this is not immediately clear, the story behind it. In fact, it isn't even clear that it will become a whole series. That becomes clear along the way.

Hello dachshund, oil on canvas, 75 x 120 cm, 2024

Well, why origami animals?

There is not one specific reason. There are all sorts of thoughts I have about it.

I have always had a preference for beautiful paper. And for patterns. And for animals. And for puzzles and crafts. This series came about more or less by itself. In my cupboard was a book with craft ideas with paper with an origami penguin in it. I immediately liked the simple shapes. With origami figures you get all planes. That is interesting as a painter. Moreover, I like abstractions*; there is a whole world of difference between a painting of a seal and a painting of a folded piece of paper in the shape of a seal.

Folding the animals is sometimes a real puzzle. Not all zen by the way.

I find it fascinating how many different shapes you can get from a simple square piece of paper and admire those who come up with the complex designs. I am generally fascinated by Japan, the aesthetics, the refinement, the attention to nature, the philosophy, the food.

That said, the subject is also just a basic premise, a starting point. I am very much concerned with the painting itself, with fine shapes, intense colours, atmosphere and the look of the surface.

My previous series often contain social criticism. Not always in the foreground, but certainly present. This series does not have that so directly. How is that? I have the idea that it is due to the amount of misery in the world that can make you despondent. I need beauty, comfort, a counterbalance. Not to focus on everything that is wrong, but to dwell on something small. A beautifully made piece of paper. That has been folded with attention and pleasure. Into a funny animal. And then paint it.

*abstractions: omitting all non-essential information and secondary aspects and then generalizing to reveal more fundamental structures . Wikipedia.