Symphonie de tulipes

This artwork, ‘Symphonie de tulipes,’ emerged from a lively exchange with one of my early masters who encouraged me to explore new perspectives in painting, which resonated with me immediately. Looking at a vase of tulips, they started to dance in front of me—they did not align next to each other; they did not adjust to the constricting vase; they looked like they wanted to escape. But it was not chaotic. It was harmonious, like a dance, like a symphony, figuratively speaking. A harmonious arrangement of dancing tulips. The longing to break free was in fact not a manifestation of the flowers’ desire, but of my own—exploring new perspectives in a broader sense. I captured this psychedelic, soul-revealing experience in my sketchbook and translated it into a woodblock a few years later, in a moment where ‘breaking free’ was back on the agenda.

Central to this print are two visual tensions. First, the superposition of the pure black outlines and the light grey, almost transparent shadows. They don’t align, and they are not opposite either. Yet they complement each other, and the viewers are captivated by this discrepancy. Second, the tension created by the background. The paper expands beyond its function as a support and acts as a part of the artwork itself. The structure of its surface echoes with the tulips, creating a third layer of movement. It does not function as a classic ‘white space’ but keeps a certain level of suspense. Furthermore, the frayed upper edge adds to the overall organic feel of the print.

A characteristic feature for my artistic practice  in this artwork is the exclusive use of bokujū ink, intended to minimize any distractions. The focus is meant to be on the movement of the tulips and the print’s overall organic feel.

Title: Symphonie de tulipes
coming soon
Size: 44,5 x 27,5 cm (paper)
Created: 2026