House Party
A Reflection on Student Culture and the Evolution of Art
‘House Party’ is a project consisting of two paintings and a sculpture. Together, they tell the story of a house party inspired by ancient art and modern-day student culture.
The concept of ‘House Party’ originated from the observation of a significant gap between contemporary art and public opinion on what is considered “good art.” While the art world continuously evolves, mainstream ideas of artistic value often remain tied to the past. This project plays within that tension, borrowing the visual language of historical art to communicate a narrative of the present.
Title
Olives, Organic Wine and Designer Drugs
Year
2023
Dimensions
0.82 x 0.61 m
Materials
Oil paint on wood panel
About Olives, Organic Wine and Designer Drugs
The still lifes of the Netherlands in the 17th century were mostly about celebrating wealth and status. Depicting festive tables filled with expensive and exotic products, all painted in an elegant, detailed way. The paintings had polished color palettes and well arranged compositions. This often gave a luxurious and somewhat isolated feel.
The painting Olives, Organic Wine and Designer Drugs reimagines the genre, depicting a festive table in the year 2022 with the style of 1635. The table is cluttered with objects that strongly connect to our modern-day consumption habits. While some products are similar to those in historical paintings, the scene no longer conveys prosperity, instead it hints more at poverty and plastic waste. It also invites questioning: Why buy organic wine when the rest of your lifestyle isn’t sustainable? Why take vitamin C supplements when eating an apple would suffice?
Despite the familiar objects and realistic style, the scene in the painting is far from reality. The things you see were carefully arranged specifically for the artwork.
This contrast serves as a reminder that historical still lifes, too, were idealized and meticulously curated representations of the world.
Title
Agnes was Iced
Year
2023
Dimensions
2.44 x 1.06 x 0.71 m
Materials
Wood, acrylic paint
About Agnes was Iced
The sculpture Agnes continues the festive theme, drawing inspiration from classical Greek statues created in the 9th century BCE. Traditionally, these sculptures were associated with calmness and wisdom, often crafted from luxurious materials such as marble or bronze.
Agnes is crafted from wood, which is a far cheaper medium, stripping away its sense of luxury. Constructed from two plates that interlock, the sculpture’s flatness serves as a metaphor for a lack of depth and reflecting the superficiality of modern-day drinking culture. It portrays someone downing an entire bottle of alcohol—a nod to the rules of certain drinking games. This critique highlights how group pressure fosters shallow connections, prioritizing instant gratification over vulnerable and meaningful interaction.
**Painting not finished**
About Girl Checking Her Phone
The third painting draws another comparison with 17th-century paintings. Where young, wealthy women were portrayed in extravagant dresses made from fine, exotic materials. Often engaged in intellectual activities like reading or playing an instrument.
In this painting, the woman appears to wear a beautiful dress like that. However, it’s nothing like the bespoke gowns crafted by skilled tailors in the 17th century. It’s a replica of a princess’s dress from an American animated movie. Mass-produced, bought online for a cheap price, and made from flimsy materials like plastic.The dress most likely won’t survive the night. It could practically still be considered exotic—a design inspired by American media, manufactured in China, and worn in the Netherlands. Unlike her historical counterparts, this woman isn’t practicing a refined hobby. Instead, she’s checking her phone being at a house party, capturing a familiar modern scene.
Title
Girl Checking Her Phone
Year
-
Dimensions
0.79 x 1.00 m
Materials
Oilpaint on canvas
