Series of works: Fool and King

In the series “Fool and King” both figures represent the rule over a small, inner realm. The fool is made into this role; perhaps he assumes it willingly as a jester or philosopher, perhaps he grows into it involuntarily. The little king, on the other hand, is born into his position—it is predetermined, and one day he will rule, whether he wants to or not. My protagonists come from the world of childhood: they are young, serious, searching. They are at the beginning of their lives and already harbor their first doubts.

Childhood is a central theme in my artistic work. It represents both free, creative play and expectations, role models, and the pressures of being overwhelmed. I explore the tension between childhood imagination and the reality of the adult world. In my painting, I reclaim my “lost childhood”—creating a world of play where joy, color, and movement reign. In it, I am king, fool, and sailor all at once: ruler, dreamer, and explorer of my own world.

The figures of the Fool and the King are united by their appearance on a stage or in an arena. There, they experience a moment of magic. They step before the unseen audience, revealing themselves, unveiling what lies within them. And even if the audience is not depicted, we, the viewers, are part of it—we feel the tension, a blend of ecstasy and a touch of tragedy.

The sailor in my paintings, on the other hand, embodies freedom: the possibility of following one’s own desires. He sets sail, he is on the move—he is free.