MAYA

Work from the series "I AM"

This series tells the stories of a handful of women, who indirectly represent women all over the world. I try to convey the story, personalities and character of these ladies, while also trying to inspire the viewer to search their true authentic self when they look into their eyes. What do you see in them? Can you guess their story? What is your first impression? Looks can be deceiving…And when you look closely, what then...do you see in yourself? What is your story? What do you portray to the world?

And is it real?

MAYA

This painting is part of a series of woman from South Africa.  MAYA means ‘illusion’ or ‘dream’. MAYA is your typical teenager - consumed with technology and the dream it sells. She represents young women who do not see their own value, but try to find it in submitting to the beauty standards of this world. And even though this process can be quite normal for your typical teen, and especially MAYA, she does, however, finds herself dreaming about things that is far beyond her age.  MAYA loves writing. Her dreams become a reality in the stories she writes. When her parents think she is asleep, she grabs her laptop, and starts to dream yet another wild fantasy. One day she will sell many books, she says, and her stories will be made into movies. Her idol is Victoria Beckham, her crush Robert Pattinson and she smokes weed on weekends with her friends just to fit in. She hates the feeling though. She also hates taking selfies without a filter. One day she wants to be pretty, popular and at least a 34C.

“Oh MAYA, your dreams are illustrations from the book your soul is writing about you. Just remember that you are perfect just the way you are!”