Strelitzia (2007)

Website link: https://corneakkers.com/strelitzia-2007/
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My Favorite Flower

This oil painting ‘Strelitzia (2007) depicts a flower that’s one of my favorites. Put in a grenade shell my grandfather found during World War II. Legend has it he retrieved it from a German Flak position in Hatert, Nijmegen. I know it for whole my life. Once it stood on the mantlepiece if I remember it correctly. After his death I inherited it. Together with a blanket made with the fabric of an American parachute used during operation Market Garden. There you have it, two paraphernalia I hardly think about but have been around me since I was born. Yet, two tokens that should let us reflect on freedom and what it means for us. Rewriting this art statement in 2025 this is most important.

Shell Shock

Never been a flowery painter really but back in 2001 I happen to visit Maderia. The island is also called the island of flowers. There they populate meadows like weeds. Beautiful to see, even though flowers don’t catch my attention most of the times. Then again, why not do a flower still life, especially this one. Besides that, an artist should try out every subject. Moreover, the reason is twofold. First, the flower almost looks as abstract and styled as the shell itself: very straight. In fact, the flower’s slenderness rivals the shell it’s housed in. Secondly, why not put a flower in a vase that once housed a weapon. Who knows if those Germans actually shot an allied airplane out of the air. Upon my word, this flower painting would be the ultimate way to right a gross injustice.

Beautiful Contrasts

In order to enhance the drama I put a Maclite mini torch in the shell. That would do the trick. This way the strelizia is lit in a spooky way. Such also delivers a beautiful contrast with the delicate nature of the flower. Surely, It offers the most beautiful kind of orange I’ve ever seen. Then again, the shining yellow copper of the shell is a bit of a beauty itself as well. There you have it: I married the flower (good) and shell (evil). Last but not least: I placed the vase with the flower on the left side of the painting. This way I had enough space left for the cast shadows in the center of the image. Two-third the painting is shrouded in darkness but the light eventually is dominant and rules over darkness.

Oil paining on wood panel (54 x 69.5 x 0.1 cm)
Artist: Corné Akkers