Fragmented Firmament

collage 2023  15”h, 22.5”w,

Recently, in The Netherlands, there have been friendly competitions between municipalities to remove paving stones from gardens.  This seemingly small act will replenish much-needed groundwater reserves. I use the iconic Delft tile to represent the dismantled paving stones. Decorations on the broken tiles allude to the commodification of the land and the sea. Windmills drained the land for agricultural use and the ship drawing refers to Dutch economic success due to their dominance of trade routes coinciding with the 17th century trading frenzy known as Tulipmania. Tulips are nurtured in microbe-rich soil.

• Painting
• Watercolour