Erik - Batstra - PAINTINGS THE HAGUE

In the beginning of 2015 I moved back to The Hague. The following paintings are made in this period.

dated 2015 until 2016 (click on an image to enlarge an artwork)
send a message

Refugee
2016
...

When Cities Could Feel
2016
...

Lovers Spit (Version 2
2016
This painting is called 'Lovers Spit V2.0'. We see two figures engaged in an intimate situation. A sliver of saliva connects both figures. The warm red increases the sensual scene representing the intimate process of love, deep emotions and not to forget, absolute trust

Judith
2016
The beheading of Holofernes by Judith (narrated in the Book of Judith), has been the subject of many paintings. In this painting I tried to depict Judith, not as violent but more as almost disconcerted. A couragous person that stood up to tyranny but at the same time is aware of what it has forced her to do. The background with its contrasting colours, swirls and splashes of paint is used to represent the intensity and gruesomeness of the act

Lilith
2016
According to Jewish folklore Lilith was Adam's first wife. She was created at the same time and from the same dirt as Adam. Because of that, Lilith claims to be equal to Adam and refuses to become subservient to him. In later elaborations of the legend Lilith is increasingly vilified. Something that often happens to people claiming their equal rights. More and more she becomes an incarnation of lust, leading men astray, a child-killing witch and so on. In my opinion however there is more danger in the conforming Eve than Lilith. This painting is a playful depiction of this

Tears 01
2016
...

Untitled 28 x 19 003
2016
...

Still Untitled
2015
...

Minotaur (S)
2015
...

Wandering the Earth
2015
Still working with the myth of Persephone, you see her wandering the earth. Build up out of the same colors of the earth around her. Although the feel of abandonment with a hint of melancholia should be present. The fiery red colors should indicate the energy and powers are not dwindling by this.

Tears 02
2016
...

Still Untitled 08
2016
...

Epiphany
2015
...

Untitled 06
2015
...

Aphrodite On Acid (XL)
2015
Just like in the myth my Aphrodite (Ourania) is born out of 'sea foam'. Be it a bit more of a cosmic sea. She generates energy, facilitates change and growth and has always been present in creative work

Ploy (Gothic)
2015
Starting point for this work was a portrait of Ploy. However during the process the painting started to lead its own life and she ended up way more gothic than in fact she is.

Tanya (from memory)
2016
A portrait of a wonderful person, made in retrospective from memories. For me it's people like her that radiate such a positive creative energy that it ignites a strong urge to paint.

Minotaur (XL)
2015
A fascination with the Romantics has always held a keen interest with me on numerous levels. Especially its notion of the 'Sublime' with its unsettling and almost disturbing power. In this painting a Minotaur and a female figure dominate the picture. I do realize the Minotaur can have several meanings. In Homer I believe he was the judge of souls, in Dante’s Divine Comedy he symbolizes the ‘matta bestialitade’, the blind violence. Also he can be seen as a metaphor for death and therefor as a symbol for non-being. However, what fascinates me the most is the idea that the Minotaur - being result from a liaison of Pasiphaë and a bull – symbolizes a coincidentia oppositorum. A meeting of opposites. Therefor the Minotaur embodies both creature and human, rational and irrational, feminine and masculine, destiny and fate, good and evil.

Talk To Me Salome (XL)
2015
This painting of Samlome made in line with my fascination of the Romantics and the Sublime. Salome is strong, sexual, unrestrained, and free. She refuses to be constrained by reputation or honor, she claims her right to take and dismiss lovers. Her power is of a fiery darkness.

Lovers (XL)
2015
As mentioned in the description of the painting 'Minotaur', a fascination with the Romantics always held a keen interest with me. Especially its notion of the 'Sublime' with its unsettling power. This painting is called 'Lovers (XL)'. We see two figures engaged in a intimate situation. One seems to be more submissive, while the other touches the inside of her mouth she holds on to him/her. The whole scene seems to represent the intimate process where love, deep emotions, pain and suffering, and not to forget, complete trust, transforms both lovers and leads them to higher stages of personal growth where they find themselves fully awakened by the process of being reborn.

A Midnight Affair (XL)
2015
...

Untitled 07
2015
...

Red Moon
2015
The energy of the red moon fueling the dark power of the feminine. The female figure, still inspired by Persephone, wandering the earth. The glossy feel of the silver paint and polyurethane that are applied in this painting is rather difficult to catch on photographs. Apologies for that.

Aphrodite on Acid (S)
2015
...

Untitled 05
2015
...

Untitled 04
2015
...

Untitled 03
2015
...

Untitled 02
2015
...

Untitled 01
2015
...

Rendezvous with a Cyclops
2015
...

Holding the Moon
2015
...