In Matijs van de Kerkhof's latest work, the artist depicts a hushed but brooding world. His work explores timeless themes and universal human experiences. Old folk tales are an important source. He also draws inspiration from classical literature, such as Aesop's Fables and the nonsense poems of the 19th-century British writer Edward Lear.
By placing everyday subjects within classical themes, the painter hopes that the narrative atmosphere will continue to resonate in his works. It's like a visual interpretation of the game ‘Chinese Whispers’, where a word is whispered through and eventually turns into a totally different word. Thus a new story emerges, with elements subtly transforming and evolving.
Van de Kerkhof chooses to paint back in time, as it were, both in his choice of subject matter and technique. He does this not only to capture the beauty of times gone by, but also as a reflection on the constant change of history. He shows that the past is not a static story, but rather resembles a game of Chinese Whispers, in which meaning and interpretation warp through time. The true origins of events often remain shrouded in mists.