Nachtcactus in Shewasaulu, Zuid-Afrika 1967

Here's Willem Jacob van den Berg's "Nachtcactus in Shewasaulu, Zuid-Afrika", a real find! I like to think about what he was thinking at the time. I mean, it's pretty special, right? The different photographs, all those little images that are a bit blurry—it's all about the layering, like a painting with glazes and washes. The way the cactus flowers are captured, it's like he's not just documenting, but trying to find that specific, unique presence. Does he want to capture the cactus in all it’s glory, or is he just trying to save the moment for later? Like any artist, he probably felt it needed to be shared. It makes me think about what other artists are looking at, what's inspiring them, and how they try to communicate that through their work. Painting’s like that, you know? There is a conversation that transcends time. We build on what others have done, and in turn, hopefully inspire others to explore new things. And maybe, just maybe, help them see the world in a different light.