Untitled (mural)

About this artwork.

Over the centuries, prisons have often been grim, dire, grey buildings constructed with heavy bricks. A fine example of this is the 19th-century Van Mesdagkliniek; with its towers, battlements and heavy entrance gate it looks like an impregnable fortress. But take a look at the back of the building and you’re in for a pleasant surprise; the extension that was added in 2010 is much less severe and utliitarian.
Nic Bezemer added a series of images to two of the outer walls, mirroring the three black and white images on one wall on the other. 

In his design sketches, Bezemer makes it clear that he wants to use this work to break the oppressive and negative associations that prison buildings often evoke; expanding on this idea, the concept is to “break down” the “wall” between prisoner and passers-by. His painting – which plays with colour and perspective – draws the attention of the passer-by, capturing the onlooker’s gaze at the same time as the Van Mesdagkliniek is drawn into free space.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Nic Bezemer

• District
  Helpman

• Year of creation
  1994

• Art type
  Painting, Art and architecture, Art in / on a building

• Material
  Paint

• Dimensions
  h ca. 6 m x b ca. 32 m