Category: Experimentation

experimentation with ideas and alternatives

Posted on

Eu Sou Seu Por Nada

Work in progress:

This painting depicts a powerful and heartbreaking story of a beautiful and single mother. Her turbulent life is full of betrayal, disappointment and pain. She struggles to survive in Bissau, a poor country where cultural traditions and economic competition make life even more challenging. My intentions are to highlight the difficulty of being a single parent in such a difficult environment, and the desire to find support, regain a full family and find love. Unfortunately, the woman’s attempt to seek solace at a local disco results in further abuse and humiliation, illustrating the harsh realities that many women face in similar situations. The painting serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by those living in poverty, and the importance of addressing the complex social, economic, and cultural factors that perpetuate these challenges.

Posted on

Teresa from Senegal – Further Developments Nr 3

This painting is inspired by the story of young Theresa from Senegal. She works for a hotel and struggles to make ends meet with her minimal salary. To make more money, she is forced into a dark world of accompanying foreign men for a monetary incentive. The abuse she endures leaves physical marks on her body, but she remains strong and fights for every moment of her life.

To attract attention, Theresa covers herself with gold and fake designer labels, creating a look that is starkly different from her difficult reality. Despite the challenges she faces, she perseveres, determined to overcome her circumstances and find a better life.

Posted on

James Plays in Porto – progress stage 2

James is probably Portuguese. He has no real name nor identity. He is homeless and badly battered by hard and brutal life. He is eking existence by basking on cold streets of wintery Porto. The only pleasure and companion he has is a bottle of rough spirit, which is partially hidden behind in the doorway behind him. His voice is very delicate, somehow broken and fragile. However, his beautiful tone and squeaky, whisper-like sound of his guitar, allow passing by strangers to dream about everything they miss.

He is still in the gutter, but looking at the stars.

Posted on

Alejandra – All the Dreams I Once Have Had.

Alejandra is a stunning women. She is a mother of two and appears to be successful. She lives in Guadalajara and travels twice a month to Tijuana in Baja California Sur. Once upon a time, her heart was full of love and she had a dream to have a perfect family. She did everything possible to orchestrate happiness. However, her daily reality is harsh and in a total contradiction to her earlier ambitions, aspirations and desires. She has now reached her mid-30s and cannot see any potential for change.

Posted on

Beautiful Colombian Girl Waiting for Love

This is a portrait of a sensitive and fragile Colombian girl living a long way from home. She is determined and focused, planning for her future, but wishing to be loved in an environment that is harsh and unfeeling. Her ephemeral youth and perfection will vanish with transience of life. Will her dreams and desires be fulfilled in the passing of time?

I have supported my painting with two video experimentations, which bring the character to life.

Posted on

Heavenly Ariel – Further Progress

Ariel’s fantastic ballet career is over. She is no longer able to reach the gates of heaven during her never-ending pirouettes and glamorous jumps. Her body is now deformed and she feels constant pain. Her twisted joints are permanently inflamed and swollen. Her potential to perform and inspire is forever gone. Underneath her fake pose and put on facade, she is very down to Earth. She has never enjoyed dancing. It was her parents dream, which destroyed her future, health and beautiful body… Once upon a time, her mother had one distinct ambition in life – she wanted to become a famous ballet dancer.

Posted on

Heavenly Ariel – Work in Progress

I have continued with the painterly process while repeating Aries’s body in a rhythmic movement. The intention is to arrange a sensation of grace and ballet in the context of anxiety and worries. After all, Ariel has bend her moral spine and made her principles vague and ambiguous. What is she going to do next?