Jonat Deelstra (Haarlem, 1991) shows ceramic sculptures and oil paintings in his series 'Funeral Home the North Sea'. The series presents a futuristic and imaginative take on the burial of human remains: "Due to an increasingly warmer climate, an enormous amount of coral may grow in the North Sea over the next hundred years. But because the sea has been fished bare, these organisms cannot settle. By placing structures in the sea, we can ensure the rebirth of biodiversity.'' In 2006, the first wind turbines were placed in the North Sea. In these areas, trawling over the bottom is no longer allowed. Deelstra wants to place the ceramic urns in this area so coral can attach to these structures. In this way, this burial ritual acts as a nursery for the underwater nature. 'Funeral Home the North Sea' is a continuation of the 'Progress and Prosperity' series, a project about economic gain on nature, such as the deforestation of the Amazon.
Deelstra has been living and working in Amsterdam for over ten years. In 2018, he received his Bachelor's degree in Illustration from the HKU. Since then, he has worked mainly as a painter, but also grabs new materials. Thus he makes drawings, woodcuts, animations, ceramic work and builds at installations. The paintings of Jonat Deelstra have magical realistic features. They seem alienating and ominous. He finds his inspiration in other cultures and religions: 'I need the supernatural. I have a need to know the mystery of human existence.' Deelstra is included in several private and corporate collections. In addition, he has participated in several residencies such as GinDS, the Opium Atelier and Broedplaats Bogota and was featured at the Krona Museum in Uden in 2020 with his installation 'People'.