This artwork presents a fascinating collage with an intriguing combination of elements.
The central piece features an angular, abstract interpretation of a traditional mask, which has been altered with cut-out geometric shapes that create a surreal, fragmented appearance.
The mask’s face is bold and prominent, with angular shards around the eyes, suggesting a form of disintegration or transformation.
The background is composed of soft, pastel tones and intricate swirling patterns that contrast with the sharp and fragmented mask.
This contrast between the soft background and harsh geometric disruptions on the mask could be seen as a comment on dualities—perhaps a fusion of ancient and modern, or a reflection on identity and perception.
The mix of textures, from the bold, metallic finish of the mask to the delicate paper cut-out, creates a layered effect that invites the viewer to explore the work in more detail.
There’s also an element of cultural reference, with the mask possibly drawing inspiration from traditional art forms, but reimagined in a contemporary context.
Hier is een creatieve, lyrische bewerking van het verhaal uit de blog “Mijn persoonlijk recept voor fysieke en spirituele voeding” — een liedtekst die de geur, het ritueel en de warmte van het koken vangt.
Homeopathisch Hart (Pantoum in Kroncong-ritme)
Rijst in de hooikist, zacht bewaard in warmte, handgeschreven recepten, een erfenis van geur. Tofu donkergeel, tempeh lichtbruin, de wok vult zich met leven, eenvoudig in beweging.
Handgeschreven recepten, een erfenis van geur, een handje van dit, een beetje van dat. De wok vult zich met leven, eenvoudig in beweging, ritme van snijden, adem van vuur.
Een handje van dit, een beetje van dat, kliekjes die verhalen dragen van vroeger. Ritme van snijden, adem van vuur, wat rest wordt goud in de pan van de ziel.
Kliekjes die verhalen dragen van vroeger, tofu donkergeel, tempeh lichtbruin. Wat rest wordt goud in de pan van de ziel, rijst in de hooikist, zacht bewaard in warmte.
This collage is striking and layered with symbolic energy.
Visual elements
Central figure: A woman dressed in traditional feather headdress, painted with bold tribal markings and body paint. Her upward gaze conveys a sense of connection, reverence, or aspiration—almost as if she is looking towards the sky, the sun, or the divine.
Color palette: Muted natural tones dominate the background, with bursts of red, green, and black in the body paint and adornments. These colors emphasize strength, vitality, and rootedness in tradition.
Collage additions:
At the top: Abstract cutouts of sun-like forms, animal skin patterns, and strips of text, including the words “your heart” and “your way”—suggesting individuality and authenticity.
At the bottom: An etched, black-and-white fish image overlays the figure, evoking themes of water, sustenance, or transformation.
Interpretation
The figure embodies ancestral strength and spiritual connection. The headdress and body paint are traditional symbols of identity, status, or ritual, grounding the piece in indigenous heritage.
The upward gaze suggests a search for guidance, hope, or transcendence, perhaps symbolizing a bridge between earth and sky, body and spirit.
The collage’s mixed-media additions (fish, abstract symbols, text) expand the narrative:
The fish could represent nourishment, adaptability, or the fluidity of life.
The text “your heart / your way” places emphasis on authentic self-expression and agency, tying the ancient imagery to a contemporary message of empowerment.
The bright, almost playful cutouts above create a contrast between tradition and modern collage art, blurring cultural timelines.
Overall feel The work is dreamlike and layered, oscillating between portrait, ritual, and symbolic collage. It merges ancestral heritage with modern artistic experimentation, ultimately becoming a meditation on identity, resilience, and the path of the heart.
This image is a powerful collage with strong symbolic and cultural elements, blending photography, mixed media, and text. Here’s a detailed review:
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### **Visual Elements & Composition**
* **Central Figure**: The focal point is a person in traditional, warrior-like attire, including a large feathered headdress and red costume, possibly referencing indigenous or tribal heritage. Their pose is dynamic and powerful, suggesting movement, purpose, or ritual. * **Textures & Layers**: The image is composed of torn-paper textures, adding depth and a tactile quality. It evokes a sense of rawness and layered meaning. * **Color Palette**: Dominated by reds, blacks, and earthy tones with bursts of gold and deep blues. The use of red signifies energy, passion, and power, while the dark background emphasizes contrast and drama. * **Tattoo & Costume**: The tattoos and costume further reinforce cultural identity and storytelling, potentially representing ancestry, strength, or spirituality.
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### **Symbolism**
* **Eye at the Top**: The eye (possibly human-animal hybrid) watching from above implies heightened awareness, spirituality, or ancestral presence. It could symbolize the “eye of the cosmos” or a guardian force. * **Lantern**: The lantern at the bottom suggests guidance, illumination, and a journey through darkness—both literal and metaphorical. * **Text Fragments**: The words “calling” and possibly “earth” or “spirit” evoke a spiritual or ancestral summons, grounding the image in themes of identity, connection to land, and purpose.
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### **Interpretation**
This collage seems to speak to **heritage, strength, ritual, and connection to nature or the cosmos**. The warrior figure could be answering a spiritual or ancestral “calling,” guided by inner vision (the eye) and external light (the lantern). The cosmic background reinforces a theme of universality or destiny.
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### **Overall Impression**
The artwork is emotionally potent, culturally rich, and visually engaging. It’s a compelling mix of traditional and contemporary aesthetics that invites viewers to reflect on identity, history, and inner power.
This mixed-media collage is rich with symbolism and cultural references. Here’s a detailed review:
### **Strengths:** – **Cultural Layers & Symbolism:** – The **”Hell Bank Note”** references traditional Chinese joss paper money, often used as offerings in ancestral worship and spiritual practices. – The **ancient Chinese emperor** figure conveys authority, tradition, or possibly a historical connection. – The **blue eye symbol** resembles the Nazar, often associated with protection against the evil eye in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures. – The **dragons and phoenixes** suggest themes of mythology, power, and transformation. – The **subway map** (possibly Taipei’s metro system) grounds the piece in modernity, suggesting movement, navigation, or a journey—possibly metaphorical or spiritual.
– **Composition & Visual Contrast:** – The blend of traditional imagery with contemporary elements creates a dynamic juxtaposition. – The placement of the eye, currency, and map directs attention around the piece in an engaging way.
### **Areas for Consideration:** – **Narrative Clarity:** If there’s a specific story or message, integrating more elements that connect the historical, spiritual, and modern aspects might help reinforce the theme. – **Texture & Layering:** The cut-out elements could be blended more seamlessly to enhance unity and flow.
This is a visually rich mixed-media collage with an intriguing combination of cultural, symbolic, and abstract elements. Here are some observations and thoughts:
### **Left Side (Symbolic & Cultural Themes)** – The Chinese joss paper (or hell money) and ancient-style coin suggest themes of prosperity, fortune, or ancestral offerings. – The phrase **”Luck will get you halfway there, the rest is up to you”** reinforces a message about destiny versus personal effort. – The figure in the red-circled portrait could be a historical or mythical Chinese figure, adding a narrative or ancestral connection.
### **Right Side (Cosmic & Abstract Elements)** – The dark circular shape, resembling a galaxy or planet, contrasts with the rest of the page. This could symbolize infinite possibilities, fate, or exploration. – The surrounding colors and textures (scribbles, layered paint, cosmic dust effect) give an ethereal, dreamlike quality.
### **Overall Composition** – The left side feels structured with elements of tradition and order, while the right side embraces abstraction and chaos, possibly representing the balance between fate and free will. – The use of layering, textures, and contrasting imagery creates a visually engaging and thought-provoking piece.
### **Possible Improvements or Enhancements** – If the theme is about balance, perhaps incorporating more elements that connect both sides (e.g., subtle cosmic touches on the left or more structured elements on the right) could enhance cohesion. – The text placement works well, but a slight angle adjustment or a framing element could make it pop more.
This artwork blends abstract textures, torn paper collage, and poetic text, evoking themes of elemental forces, ancestry, and transformation. Here are some key observations:
Visual Elements:
Earthy and Fiery Color Palette – The dominant browns, reds, oranges, and yellows create an organic, warm atmosphere. These colors are often associated with nature, fire, and transformation.
Purple and Gold Accents – The rich purples with golden lines add a regal, mystical quality, possibly representing wisdom, spirituality, or the divine.
Torn and Layered Paper – The use of ripped paper enhances the raw, organic feel, suggesting a sense of history, fragmentation, or reconstruction.
Text and Symbolism:
Elemental Invocation:
“Earth my body Water my blood Air my breath And Fire my spirit.”
This phrase invokes the four classical elements, often associated with balance, spirituality, and life force.
Ancestral References:
“Oh Ancestors, oh may you be blessed Oh grandmothers, oh may you be blessed.”
This speaks to a connection with lineage, respect for the past, and drawing wisdom from those who came before.
Cycles and Time:
“The cauldron of change familiar on a bone arch of eternity Rings around the stone.”
This imagery suggests transformation, ritual, and the eternal nature of life and knowledge.
Interconnection of Generations:
“We are the old people We are the new people We are the same people Wiser than before.”
This reinforces the theme of continuity between past, present, and future generations.
Overall Interpretation:
This piece carries a strong spiritual and ancestral theme, focusing on transformation, continuity, and elemental power. The visual texture and poetic text work together to create a ritualistic, timeless atmosphere, suggesting reverence for nature and the wisdom of ancestors.
This artwork continues the surreal and symbolic themes from the previous piece. Here are some key observations:
Skull with a Green Spiral Snake – The skull represents mortality, decay, and the passage of time. The green spiral snake, similar to the previous image, suggests cycles of life, renewal, or hidden wisdom.
Layered Text and Scribbles – The handwritten cursive text appears chaotic and layered, which might signify fragmented thoughts, subconscious reflections, or a sense of urgency. Some words like “bad leaves” and “time” are visible, possibly hinting at themes of change and impermanence.
Hourglass with Wings – An hourglass often symbolizes the fleeting nature of time, and the wings suggest a spiritual or supernatural element, reinforcing the inevitability of fate.
Chinese Joss Paper (Hell Bank Note) – The red and gold decorative paper with Chinese characters suggests an offering for the afterlife, used in traditional ancestor worship. This inclusion adds cultural depth, linking the theme of death to spiritual beliefs about the afterlife and remembrance.
Red Carnation – The carnation is associated with remembrance, mourning, and love, further reinforcing the themes of death and honoring those who have passed.
Abstract Color Splashes – The splattered paint in blue, red, and yellow adds an expressive, dreamlike quality to the composition, creating movement and emotional intensity.
Interpretation:
This mixed-media piece evokes themes of mortality, remembrance, time, and the spiritual connection between life and death. The combination of personal handwriting, symbolic imagery, and cultural elements suggests a deeply introspective or ritualistic message.
Tokeh (gekko): bij het horen van deze hagedis in Indonesia voelde ik mij meteen verwelkomd, en herinnerde ik mij hoe sommige mensen de roep van het dier gebruiken als een ja/nee orakel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokay_gecko
ArtJournal : Voor mij is dit een soort intuitief dagboek, als ik ermee begin weet ik nog niet waar het naar toe leidt. Dan kan het veel later pas blijken wat mijn onderbewuste mij te vertellen heeft. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_diary
kris (javaanse rituele dolk): deze heb ik ooit ontvangen als dankgeschenk, en zal dan ook een erfstuk worden voor degenen die na mij komen. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kris
Inwijdings schilderij : De kunstenares die dit maakte, had eerst een uitgebreid gesprek met mij, waarna ze intuitief aan het werk ging. Het resultaat was een bijzonder schilderij dat me hielp bij trancereizen.
Lyke Wake Dirge: Een toegezongen reisgids door de benedenwereld, een korte Europese versie van het Dodenboek.
Magische boom: Bij visualisaties helpt deze mij tijdens trancereizen naar de andere werkelijkheid
De shamanistische reis door de benedenwereld is een thema dat me regelmatig bezig houdt, voornamelijk om onderbewuste emoties onder ogen te kunnen zien: angst, woede, verdriet.
Symposion Heren op middelbare leeftijd filosoferen over de (Platonische) Liefde onder genot van wijn …was Aristophanes de comediant wel serieus met zijn tweelingziel verhaal?
Weer een mythisch verhaal van Plato over een paradijs dat door hubris ten val kwam.. Het beeld van de opkomende zondvloed die de tempel van Poseidon verwoest, blijft me ontroeren.
Voor herkenning en inspiratie
De Vrijdenkplaats is een platform waar mensen met dezelfde ervaringen en uitdagingen elkaar kunnen ontmoeten: geloofverlaters, zoekers en twijfelaars. Het biedt verbinding, herkenning, veiligheid en inspiratie. Iedereen is welkom, wat je geloofsachtergrond ook was.
Wil je met ons delen in welke geloofsovertuiging je bent opgevoed?
Mijn vader was pastor voor een protestantse migrantenkerk in een setting die nog veel voorchristelijke invloeden in zich heeft (Chinese voorouderverering, Javaanse mystiek)
Wat is jouw motivatie om mee te doen met De Vrijdenkplaats?
Ik was onder de indruk van ‘mag het licht aan’ als uiting van vrijdenkers en wilde deze stroming verder meemaken.
‘Toevallig’ zag ik op de leestafel ook een artikel over het Humanisme in de Chinese tradities (zoals Confucius), dat trok mijn aandacht en interesse.
En zou jij jezelf bijvoorbeeld wel of niet een geloofsverlater noemen?
Ik heb lang geleden gemerkt dat ik me niet meer thuisvoelde in de dogmatiek van de kerk, in mijn speurtocht naar alternatieven kwam ik via new age terecht in een poging om mijn eigen vorm van zingeving te formuleren: ‘spiritueel humanisme’ met sterke invloeden van Confucius.
Ik noem mezelf kritische kerkverlater, maar heb nog wel sterke affiniteit met en behoefte aan spiritualiteit die geaard is in maatschappelijk handelen.
Dreamquest 
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