Babet Olde Weghuis (Ootmarsum, The Netherlands, 1971)
An exploration in directness, unfolding in time. In my artworks, I seek meaning, the added value of generalities. Balancing between everyday practice and the mystical, seeking intertwining and reconciliation: A glance from someone, a moving hand, or the intensity of a color. My work revolves around following impulses and directing the paint. About passion, about quantities, but also about saying a lot with little. Where the story becomes an image, that's what's intriguing. Capturing a glimpse of the essence is my aim. The universe, cultures, religions, people, deer, encounters, nature, love, life.
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Deer Collection
About 20 years ago, I started collecting deer figurines and regularly used them in the installations I created at the time. For me, it served as a symbol of transformation, (self) love, happiness, innocence, but also of abundance and growth. I enjoyed bridging different worlds and finding the common denominator there. For me, that was: LOVE.
The deer embodies unconditional love and kindness. Its spotted coat indicates no distinction between light and dark, good and bad. The power of love heals the wounds of others, even if they are deeply entrenched in the darkness. In the Bible, the deer symbolizes a longing for happiness and is the ideal image of 'purity.' Similarly, in the Quran, the Bhagavad Gita, and Buddhism, the deer symbolizes innocence and a return to the wild. I have always felt connected to deer. I also encountered them (by chance) regularly.
I started painting and drawing them, and they, along with a few other themes, became a common thread in my work. I remember starting with them because of a postcard in my studio. Not knowing what to paint, I suddenly saw that card as inspiration. It doesn't matter what I paint, I thought then. As long as I have love for my subject. And yes, perhaps it's also my own feelings or desires that seep in, making the deer embody what my soul loves to share in every aspect.
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De Galerie Den Haag offers you a choice of 2 werken from Babet Olde Weghuis. Click on one of the works for more information and availability for hire.
