Byzantium & Margarita

acrylic on canvas 2m x 1.6m

The painting Byzantium & Margarita raises issue of conflict between a woman and authority.  In this instance church hierarchy.  The woman wants freedom to decide about her own life. On the painting one can see a woman completely covered, but for her face, which looks straight at the viewer.  The look is very courageous.  She holds a golden cage, that is open.  Behind a woman there is a small crowd of men, most are men of the cloth.  It is implied in the picture that they are turned towards a gold altar, They seem hypocritical, as church should serve people, including her.  Yet, both worlds although turned away from each other are still close in proximity.  It is up to them to turn towards her, or even up to her to close back the cage, and be submissive.  It is up to the viewer to decide.  This painting was painted during winter lockdown and shown as part of the Quo Vadis project / exhibition, shown during the European Night at the Museum this year (2021).

Veni Vidi Vici

acrylic on canvas 2m x 1.6m

SOLD

The painting raises ecological issue, i.e. destruction of palm forests for human consumption and pleasure. The picture shows an orangutang / an orangutan monkey sitting on a throne, or a velvet purple palatial arm chair . Behind him there is a burning palm forest, and the armchair with the orangutan is standing in a field of still burning remnants, ashes and smoke. The orangutan is wearing a jester's hat and is looking at us with begging eyes. What is implied in the painting is a human - an emperor that makes the Earth his own playground and meets a rightful habitant - an orangutang, while destroying his home, and makes him his own court clown for a fun of it. This painting was painted during winter lockdown and shown as part of the Quo Vadis project / exhibition, shown during the European Night at the Museum this year (2021)