JONAT DEELSTRA (Haarlem, 1991) is presenting a new series called, ‘Uitvaartcentrum de Noordzee’ (‘Funeral Home North Sea’) made of ceramic sculptures and oil-paintings. The series introduces a new futuristic and ingenious perspective on burying human remains.
Deelstra suggests to make funeral home structures in the North Sea on which coral and sea anemones can grow: “Due to an increasing warmer climate an enormous load of coral has the chance to develop in the next hundred years in the North Sea. Since overfishing left the sea literally almost barren, these organisms cannot settle yet. By placing structures in the sea, we can take care of rebirth.” The first effort to achieve this aim occurred in 2018 when wind turbines were built in the North Sea. So just imagine that in between these wind turbines a coral reef will arise together with a new funeral ritual.
Over more than a decade Deelstra lives and works in Amsterdam. In 2017 Deelstra received his Bachelor degree in Illustration at HKU. Since then, he mainly works as a painter, but he is also interested in exploring new materials and so he is also building installations, he draws and makes woodcuts and ceramics and he creates animations. Deelstra’s work is socially infused and reflects on current issues such as migration, discrimination and climate change.
Jonat Deelstra studied at Hogeschool voor de Kunsten (HKU), Utrecht (2014 - 2017).
Earlier his work was shown at several galleries and Big Art (2020). He worked at residencies such as GinDS residency, Broedplaats Bogota. At this moment Deelstra’s work is also shown at Krona Museum (Uden).