In today’s world, reinvention is key, whether you're an artist or an influencer on Instagram. Like fashion trends, we’re always chasing the next big thing, but beneath that constant change lies something deeper. Carl Gustav Jung spoke about how certain symbols and archetypes repeat throughout history, reflecting the timeless elements we all share as humans. My artwork often explores the dialogue between the old and the new, whether through aesthetics or deeper conceptual themes.
WHY? Because old is cool!
Breathing New Life into the Old
My grandmother was a hoarder, deeply connected to her possessions, and I think I’ve inherited some of that attachment. When I take a beautifully aged frame, I don’t just see something old—I see its potential to tell a new story. I work backwards—starting with history and creating a new meaning for it today. Every piece must earn its place by becoming something worth keeping. By repurposing these vintage objects, I give them new life, transforming what could be discarded into something relevant today. It’s not just about preserving the past, but about creating new meaning from it.
Now you can go and think why do you keep the things that youve got in your house, and how you can create new meaning for them.
Tradition Meets Modernity
My technique of choice—oil painting—has deep roots in tradition. The Baroque period, with its dramatic use of light and shadow, was particularly focused on the theme of vanitas or memento mori, a reminder of the fleeting nature of life. In these works, objects like skulls, rotting fruit, and extinguished candles symbolized death and the impermanence of material things.
In my work, I bring these themes into the modern era with playful, contemporary subjects—think about Mcdonald's fries or a birthday cake. Its much of the same, but in a modern way we understand better. Its all about time passing by, and how life is short. Well kind of like - YOLO.
Conclusion
At first glance, the "old"—our history and traditions—might seem like it limits our creativity, holding us back. But for me, they are the roots that ground my work. They don’t restrict; they enrich. By staying connected to these roots, I’m able to create art that is more meaningful and relatable. The past isn’t just something we outgrow—it's a source of depth and inspiration, helping us to create new meaning in life and in art.
