The Universe and Us

One of the essential differences between animals and humans is the ability to self-reflect. However, observing general human behavior, it seems there is quite little self reflecting actually being done in our society. How does one find one's way to self reflection, while still taking part in a society with such ardent fascination for distraction? Eckhard Tolle encourages us to ask ourselves as often as possible: How do I feel right now?

What would happen if we all suddenly started asking ourselves repeatedly as we wander through our days: "HOW DO I FEEL RIGHT NOW?"

In this group of works I am investigating how I feel, as a body in space - listening inward into my body vs. listening to the countless theoretical stories in my head about my situation in this world.

Our society does not encourage us to stop and feel and it is difficult to distinguish between how I feel vs. what I think my situation means in relationship with society at large.

Especially nowadays in a time when every question already has its answer out there in the internet! Ignoring all answers coming from external sources is especially difficult when I have a mobile device glued to my hand.

Contemplating my own Vessel Nature

In Kabbalah it is believed that humans were created to be vessels open to receive the gift of the universe, which is the divine creation. God the one (#1) and only being the giver of this gift and man the vessel (zero) being the receiver. But not for long was man satisfied with that role. Man wanted to be #1 also, the giver and thus started making sacrifices to God to make God the receiver and man the giver.

In this painting I am looking into the cup and seeing my reflection in the bottom of the vessel. Thus seeing my self as what I really am. The vessel to receive all of the wonders of the universe.

Oil on canvas: 12.75 x 12.75" 2014

The Sphere of the Intellect

If woman is to be the body in the world then man is to be the head. In order to find out who would be the best representative of a spectacular specimen, the most intelligent man since measuring began, I went to search the web for the most intelligent person.

As there are many websites with different results, I picked the person which ranked highest across all websites I could find: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Here he is seen with his head only. Society does not need his body. His head is what counts.

What fascinates me when one observes one's reaction to the headless female body, vs the bodiless Goethe's head, we all have to agree that the image of a head without body is much more disturbing to us than a head without body. We are approaching the question of importance from our intellectual point of view.

Oil on linen, 8 x 10" 2015

She is Bearing her Cross

For several thousand years in human society women were left with the role of being the vessel, while man strove for the position of #1 the maker, the creator and the shaper of the world. In my mind the mere act of defining God's voice (religions) seems preposterous! Why would God ever chose one human being over another to be it's spokesperson, if we all have ears and eyes ourselves to receive information? The beginning of writing such guidelines down i.e. the beginning of religions seems to me to be the end of true devoutness and receptiveness.

As women were to take the role of the vessel, the role of the hollow being which is ready to be filled, the untainted egg ready to be fertilized, she is to be invisible, demure, untouched and without thought or personality. Hence a headless body.

Oil on linen, 10 x 21" 2015

Pod (Female)

This beautiful, plump but completely helpless body seems frail and powerful at the same time. A budding blossom of health and freshness, but without legs, feet, arms, hands or a head to defend itself. Such a being seems like a threat to our rational understanding of life. Without a face it's impossible to distinguish who this is.

Porcelain, 6 x 10.5 x 5" 2016

Male Pod

This muscular but completely helpless body seems frail and powerful at the same time. A budding blossom of health and freshness, but without legs, feet, arms, hands or a head to defend itself. Such a being seems like a threat to our rational understanding of life. Without a face it's impossible to distinguish who this is.

Porcelain, 12 x 6.8 x 4.5" 2017