#1 From the series 'The painting that wants to break free from itself'

by Eelke Renschke Bekkenutte · Lisbon, PT

"The painting that wants to break free from itself" is a series of paintings that are the result of a (beginning) self-made technique in unlearning and free creation, inspired by the free creativity of children (0-5 years). I am looking for 'honest' visual answers to the question 'What is life?' and I try to capture the raw experience of 'being alive'. The works aim to transcend ideals of beauty and celebrate the imperfection that is just as much at the core of existence. My inspirations stem from the raw, honest, and unconditioned art that children create. Through years of babysitting work, in which I was able to observe their boundless creativity, I am developing a technique focused on unlearning and finding 'ultimate' creative freedom. I feel driven to counteract the obsession with perfection, fueled by social media and the digital world, by creating art that embraces imperfection and is made of real/tangible matter.