Then and Now
By: Martin-Jan
The inspiration for this work by Martin-Jan originated in his teenage years in Almere Haven. Back then, he spent a lot of time outdoors, where he devoted himself to both decorating and carving brick walls and surfaces of various kinds. In addition, he often went out with a metal detector in the nearby Kromslootpark. During these trips, he found, among other things, remnants of a military aircraft, which later turned out to be from World War II.
His love for nature has always amazed him, especially with the enormous diversity of flora and fauna: from water birds to plants, fish and insects.
When asked to paint a mural, Martin-Jan...
By: Martin-Jan
The inspiration for this work by Martin-Jan originated in his teenage years in Almere Haven. Back then, he spent a lot of time outdoors, where he devoted himself to both decorating and carving brick walls and surfaces of various kinds. In addition, he often went out with a metal detector in the nearby Kromslootpark. During these trips, he found, among other things, remnants of a military aircraft, which later turned out to be from World War II.
His love for nature has always amazed him, especially with the enormous diversity of flora and fauna: from water birds to plants, fish and insects.
When he was asked to create a mural on the theme of the history of reclamation, it led to the idea of depicting the essence of 'propellors' - then and now. On the one hand, it refers to the fighter planes of World War II and the planes that spread cane seed for the construction of the new land. On the other hand, today's propellers symbolise the windmills that generate energy.
The work shows straight lines dug into the clay: water courses delineating the land, marking areas claimed by building frenzy or, on the contrary, by nature.