Harmony in Contrasts

It is a great pleasure to let you know that I'll be one of the selected artists participating in the prestigious XIV Florence Biennale, which will take place from 14 untill 22 October 2023, Fortezza da Basso in Florence (Italy).

The theme 'I AM YOU' will focus on the concepts of individual and collective identities, in their multiple philosophical, psychological, sociological and cultural meanings.

This painting will be one of my exhibited works.

Harmony in Contrasts: A Journey of Contemplation

In the grand interplay of colour, form, and emotion, the oil painting that commands our attention is a masterpiece of nuanced contrasts and vivid symbolism. At 125 cm in height and 75 cm in width, this canvas becomes a gateway into a world of contemplation and intrigue, a world anchored by the mesmerizing presence of a beautiful woman in a rich red evening dress.

With her eyes gently closed, she stands in poised repose, her hands resting gracefully upon her back. Her form emanates a quiet elegance, an embodiment of grace that is mirrored in her vibrant attire. The sumptuous red dress drapes against her figure, a manifestation of opulence and allure. As it converges with the verdant green backdrop, the transition takes on an almost mystical quality, as if boundaries between the tangible and the ethereal are blurred into obscurity.

At the juncture of her dress and the enchanting shadow below, a soft edge evokes a sense of gentle dissolution, as though the fabric of her reality is melding with the hidden depths of her thoughts. This subtlety grants the viewer an entrancing invitation to explore the interplay between light and shadow, surface and depth.

The composition gains complexity at the bottom left, where a vivid burst of warm yellow emerges, setting a stage against which the lady stands. The meticulously placed dark blue squares at the lower corner form a grounded foundation, counterbalanced by the opulent reflection of twelve golden squares that gleam like celestial stars, an emblem of aspiration and illumination.

Amidst this symphony of colour, texture, and emotion, the deep dark blue background serves as a curtain that delineates her form and presence. A vertical line rises above her, a divider that hints at the dual nature of existence — a dance between dreams and reality, between the seen and the hidden.

The woman stands upon a rostrum adorned with warm gold leaf, a platform imbued with symbolism. As though poised to ascend from her contemplation, she embodies the essence of transition. Is she about to step forth into a new chapter? Her closed eyes suggest a journey within, a moment of deep introspection before embarking on a new chapter. Her presence is an embodiment of potential, poised on the precipice of discovery and transformation.

In this canvas, every element — from the juxtaposition of colours and textures to the deliberate placement of shapes — weaves a narrative that transcends the confines of paint and canvas. The artist has invited us to witness a moment suspended in time, a moment that speaks to the universality of human contemplation, aspiration, and renewal.

As we immerse ourselves in this canvas symphony, we become not just observers, but participants. The composition, the colours, and the enigmatic figure invite us to explore the emotions they evoke within us. With each glance, we find ourselves carried away on a wave of colour and form, drifting into the realms of introspection and imagination.

In ‘Harmony in Contrasts’, we are presented not just with a visually stunning tableau, but with a passage into the realms of the soul. The beauty of the woman, the complexity of the composition, and the depth of the symbolism combine to form a work that transcends the visual, touching upon the intangible and the profound.

‘Harmony in Contrasts’ is a testament to the Romijn's ability to conjure emotions through colour and form, inviting us to weave our own stories within its vibrant tapestry. It is a reminder that art is not confined to the confines of the canvas, but a living, breathing vessel that resonates with the human spirit, igniting our thoughts, emotions, and dreams.