Peter van Straten

The Artist.

Nothing ruins a grandiose sense of self like a hyperactive sense of irony. I am prevented therefore from uttering with any seriousness an ambition that is non-the-less heartfelt: to celebrate, with a single iconic image, each uniquely intriguing facet of human existence. This task would of course take many lifetimes, and while I might conceivably have many lives it is doubtful whether I would remember my task from one life to the next; becoming instead the postmaster at Wellington, then a bureaucrat in Bangladesh, followed by a housewife in Durban – each without the slightest interest in illustrating the human condition. For this reason I am driven by a deep sense of urgency in this lifetime – straining against the undertow of time to expand my understanding of the light bulb moments I am determined to illustrate. Luckily for me I find the story of Sisyphus more amusing than tragic, and my favourite word in the English language is Nympholepsy, which, to paraphrase the Oxford dictionary, is ecstasy or madness caused by pursuit of the unattainable.

If anything it is reassuring to know that one’s journeying will never be threatened by something as crass as destination, and it is pure bliss to paint that journey.

Quote from Peter van Straten's web site:
http://www.petervanstraten.co.za/the-artist/

Please do yourself a favour and visit his site. As art lovers we all surf artists web pages to view beautiful, interesting or different art works and although the works may differ the format in these sites is pretty much the same.
The artist biography, short statement and gallery and if you lucky you may get linked sites to visit. YAY.
Peter however is just clearly more fun than that, biography-no, artist statement- yes...but so well written and much more fun to read, gallery- yes and what amazing work, you-tube link-yes then there's the extra bonus of wonderful short stories and some music videos.

Usually at this point I would give a short synopsis of the artist bio and statement, but in this case I'm not going to do so, I would prefer you read his words.

THE REINVENTION OF ROMANCE
Oil on canvas, 120cm x 90cm.

STANDING WITH THE LAND
Oil on canvas, 120cm x 90cm

YOU WHOM THE PAST HAS BLESSED AND CURSED WITH COMFORT, DO NOT FEAR WHAT IS TO COME
Oil on canvas, 140cm x 180cm

ENGAGE, DON’T TURN AWAY. THERE’S NOWHERE MORE INTERESTING TO TURN TO.
Oil on canvas, 120cm x 90cm

WORKING ON THE BOAT, OR, THE GAMBLE OF ABSURDITY
Oil on canvas, 120cm x 120cm

TO THE “OTHER” YOU ARE OTHER. SO EVERYTHING IS OTHER. SO THERE IS NO “OTHER.” SO ALL IS ONE
Oil on canvas, 70cm x 90cm

THE RESURRECTION OF DREAMS
Oil on canvas, 80cm diameter

“THE RIVER OF LIFE.”
Oil on canvas 90cm x 120cm.

BEHOLD MAN. WAITING FOR A CAR TO STOP THAT HE MAY SAFELY CROSS.
Oil on canvas 120cm x 90cm.

THE TRAVELER”
Oil on canvas 120cm x 90cm

Images sourced from:www.petervanstraten.co.za/the-artist/

My Thoughts
Each of Peter's works are perfect little gems.
Often when viewing art, we note the title and then interpret the meaning of the work, but Peter lays it all out there, no interpretation needed. Peter makes sure the viewer knows what he's saying...and I love it.
This doesn't mean that the viewer can't read something else into it, art is always open to interpretation, Peter just wants to endure you know what his thinking as the creator is thinking.
He uses thin glazes of oil paint and then wipes some of the paint off exposing the surface in areas, these thin washes create a rich depth of colour and luminosity.

Peter doesn't list an email address, but can be contacted through his web site.