This 16 meters wide panoramic painting ‘the eighth day’ represents eternity and new beginnings. After times of fear, separation and contrast a new era arises. Sparkling, exciting and craving. The question is: have we definitely rid ourselves of existing ideas and forgotten habits? Do we feel connected to others, nature, the world and ourselves?
Sometimes you meet someone who touches you. Who awakens your inner artist. Something you can’t quite put your finger on. But you know that something is hidden behind that attraction. Painting a nude model is an intimate and fragile process. With his nude portraits, Coen van Ham (1971) follows in an expressionist manner in the footsteps of great masters such as Willem de Kooning, Francis Bacon and Adrian Ghenie. Despite this age-old theme, Van Ham knows how to give it his own twist. ‘In my work I reflect on emotions, identity and universal values. Paint is my medium. Color is my language.’ This results in colorful and abstract works on canvas and paper. Van Ham doesn’t reveal too much about his paintings. He wants the viewer to experience the works for themselves and to make them their own, just like you do at a first meeting. Coen lives and works in Eindhoven.
- (Mulan Go, Gomulan gallery) -