Jelle Slof

Richard (21035)
2022
Tempera and oil
25 x 15 cm
Political climate
2022
Tempera and oil
40 x 30 cm

Being a mailman is great. It’s arguably the most diplomatic thing in the world to do. I mean: even diplomats have a vested interest to achieve with their actions. A mailman just needs to deliver a message. And it’s in his best interest to not understand what he is actually sending people.

Around 2017 I decided that I should only paint about things I know something about – either subconsciously or consciously. During my time at ArtEZ, the thing I knew most about was art. But that’s 6 years ago, and I’m not a studious person. I became more knowledgeable about the normalcies of life: I became a mailman, and my art should reflect this.

Now comes the tricky part: paintings are the way to go, but what should i paint?

I don’t have epiphanies, I’m not an oracle, I’m not intelligent or naive and I like to think that it matters what I paint.

I want my paintings to have a utility that I have no interest in. I wish for my art to to be annoying, to be many, and to be helpful in any way. It’s a shame I fell in love with the craftsmanship side of painting.

www.jelleslof.nl
Richard (21035)
2022
Tempera and oil
25 x 15 cm
Political climate
2022
Tempera and oil
40 x 30 cm