Do we, in the Netherlands, generally live in a world where abundance seems a given? This is a question I often ask myself as an artist. Take croissants, for example: during my childhood, you could only buy them at the bakery on weekends, a special treat for Sunday mornings. Nowadays, if you wish, you can enjoy croissants for breakfast every day, accompanied by freshly squeezed orange juice and fruit that is available year-round. This modern luxury, a sign of progress, often feels like a blessing.
My painting, Abundance and Silence, is a quiet reflection on this moment. In the foreground, it captures the richness of our lives, a croissant, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and a jar of jam. But in the background, a sparrow perches on a branch, waiting for breadcrumbs, and in the distant horizon lies a memory of what we risk losing.
The sparrow, once a common sight, has now become a rare guest in our gardens. This contrast deeply moves me: our prosperity flourishes, but at what cost to nature?
The painting is not a reproach but an invitation to pause and consider these questions. How aware are we of what we have? How much do we take it for granted? What does this abundance mean for the world around us, for the nature that once seemed as plentiful as the luxuries we now enjoy?
Furthermore, I wonder how remarkable it is that we live in a country like the Netherlands, where prosperity and abundance are within reach for many. Is this something we are grateful for? And what does it mean for the nature that surrounds us? What would a world look like where people and nature coexist in harmony? Can we find ways to make our living environment attractive not only for ourselves but also for birds, butterflies, and bees? What would it be like if silent gardens once again teemed with life, brimming with biodiversity and vitality?
With this work, I hope to create a moment of reflection, a reminder that our abundance is not a given and that it challenges us to think about how we can preserve the balance between humanity and nature.
