Kees (78) Possibly 2015 - 2016

Here we have Gerrit Meerman’s photo, ‘Kees (78)’. It is a portrait of an older man using his computer, a scene of domestic life rendered in a soft, muted palette. The tones are gentle, almost faded, like a memory or a dream. The light from the window bathes the room in a pale glow. I love how the photograph captures the material textures, the sheen of the curtains, the soft fabric of the chair, and the hard surfaces of the computer. The image is so crisp we can see what's on the computer screen. Our eye is drawn to Kees as he sits at his desk, so engrossed in the computer. There's something intimate in this ordinary setting, like a Dutch interior. The artist’s presence is subtle, allowing the subject to speak for himself. It makes me think of other artists who look to capture the everyday, like Rineke Dijkstra, but with an added touch of warmth and familiarity. It’s not so much about making a statement, but about capturing a moment, a feeling, a life being lived. In the end, art is an open invitation to imagine.