Stikstok (1982) is a self taught visual artist based in Amsterdam whose work began with black and white illustrations. His current paintings incorporate rich colors and portray a utopian world rooted in the exploration of mankind origins in Africa, together with characters influenced by personal relationships along with people he is inspired by. His proces is subjective romantic, working from intuition, emotion and introspection.
The use of black figures in his current work is purposeful and intentional. Stemming first from the essence of all mankind and second from his cultural influences. Growing up surrounded with ethnic diversity, influenced by black & hip-hop culture, he chooses to portray the people he feels a deep connection with. The painful racist past and present imperialist, capitalist, white supremacist patriarchy leaves little space to portray black culture with respect and empowerment from a white perspective without only taking to get ahead oneself. In his work Stikstok seeks to contribute to a world where there is more empathy, love and compassion.
This Thing Of Ours
(Solo show illustration work)
Cultclub Tokyo
2016
Together
(Group show painting work)
La Cite Gallery Paris
2019
Stikstok (1982) is a self taught visual artist based in Amsterdam whose work began with black and white illustrations. His current paintings incorporate rich colors and portray a utopian world rooted in the exploration of mankind origins in Africa, together with characters influenced by personal relationships along with people he is inspired by. His proces is subjective romantic, working from intuition, emotion and introspection.
The use of black figures in his current work is purposeful and intentional. Stemming first from the essence of all mankind and second from his cultural influences. Growing up surrounded with ethnic diversity, influenced by black & hip-hop culture, he chooses to portray the people he feels a deep connection with. The painful racist past and present imperialist, capitalist, white supremacist patriarchy leaves little space to portray black culture with respect and empowerment from a white perspective without only taking to get ahead oneself. In his work Stikstok seeks to contribute to a world where there is more empathy, love and compassion.
This Thing Of Ours
(Solo show illustration work)
Cultclub Tokyo
2016
Together
(Group show painting work)
La Cite Gallery Paris
2019