growth despite

-Original collage art with deep symbolism-

About the work

“Growth despite", an original collage of Baryhl Art with symbolism and transformation in focus. Transformation is a central theme in my art, both as a personal journey and as a collective process. As described in this article, It is precisely in the darkness that the sprout of new life takes shape.

A unique collage work that carries a story about the ability of man and nature to grow despite resistance. Created with intuitive symbolism and a sense of transformation.

symbolism & message

“Growth Despite” is an original collage work that revolves around finding strength and vitality, even when the surroundings try to suffocate you. The work contains both a personal and a collective story about encountering resistance when you least expect it, and in that encounter you lose your footing for a while. But the inner transformation is always in motion, so even if something withers and dies, it also fertilizes the soil so that something new and even stronger can grow. And thus nothing goes to waste in that cycle.

The work thus carries a story about how the encounter with destructive people, systems and bureaucracy or world events can cause something in us to wither; lose hope and courage for a while, and then form a fertile ground for something bigger and even stronger within ourselves, which thus paves the way for new directions.

The budding energy in the collagen symbolizes how nature's inevitable movement towards life mirrors the soul's own ability to find light in the darkness. Even in a world marked by crises, climate change and war, new layers of hope and courage grow, rooted in both humans and the inherent power of nature.

Technique and tools.

The background of the collage is a great example of how I sometimes play with texture, paper and the layers of the work. The collage itself is constructed on heavy cardboard, a previous work that has been painted over.  

After the overpainting I have played with balloon printing as this gives some interesting organic patterns. To give some movement to the work when it is all painted over, I sometimes crease the paper to create a dynamic that gives the work an exciting energy. Here I went a step further and tore the background to pieces and then assembled the fragments afterwards with some distance between the pieces of paper. In these cracks I added layers of gold leaf.

Thus, the background becomes not only a "mood creator" but an active participant in the work's theme of "growth in spite." The background here shows that even in the imperfect and chaotic, aesthetics can arise, and something valuable can take root even in the most imperfect surroundings.

With these layers of acrylic paint, balloon prints and gold leaf, a snapshot is created where textures, prints and flashes of gold symbolize resistance, traces and hope.

• Acrylic base appears dark and textured with clear traces of brushstrokes and craquelure, giving an almost crust-like appearance; a foundation for growth and transformation.
• The balloon prints adds organic circular structures reminiscent of seed pods, imprints or traces from nature, as small signs of the cyclical movements of life.
• The gold leaf adds a crisp elegance and the presence of light, like cracks of hope or energy breaking through the darkness.

Why the title “Growth in Defiance”?
The title points to the existential power of finding meaning and strength, even where life seems fragile. It is a reminder that nothing goes to waste. Not even what we thought we lost in ourselves, or in the world around us.

Are you interested in buying? Growth in spite of or hear more?
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