A Day at the Beach – Art Print (2019)
This loud print in neon colours is full of direct and indirect references. An elongated pink cartoon figure takes centre stage, with an enormous head, tight-closed eyes and a mouth full of sharp teeth. It hangs between two towers connected by an arched passageway that appears to refer to the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, and almost literally represents the gateway to Europe. In the background, the beach and sea are drawn as an angular bed of nails. Tiny fish with large blue eyes float through the image like passing bystanders.
This work is discomforting and harsh. The swollen head evokes associations with a body that has been submerged in water for too long. The scream, the neon colours and the rugged shapes make the image painful to look at. The sea is hostile, the building institutional, the fish unemotional. Their pupils are dark keyholes.
In the Icons verwijzen vissen meestal naar Christus, niet als religieuze figuur, maar als mens die verantwoording eist. Dit is waar de preciese aanklacht in dit werk zit: collectief weigeren we compassie toe te laten voor mensen die in gammele bootjes voor armoede, vervolging en oorlog op de vlucht slaan.
‘On Cruelty' is another of Ingmar’s works that reflects on collective cruelty.
This work has been published in various editions. These include a large inkjet print on vinyl measuring 150×150 cm and a fine art print on watercolour paper measuring 50×50 cm.
Features and specifications
Title: A Day at the Beach
Year: 2019
Software: Illustrator
Process: Fine art print
Material: Watercolor paper
Dimensions: 50×50 cm