Beauty and Strength

by Arjen Roos

To me, beauty and strength are not opposites. It is precisely when they come together that a movement can take on something special. ‘Beauty and Strength’ revolves around that moment: a female figure in which grace, physical strength and complete surrender to the movement converge.

Her body forms a powerful diagonal line across the composition. One arm reaches outwards, her leg stretches almost across the entire width of the picture, whilst her other arm rests above her head. The pose appears graceful, yet at the same time betrays tension, control and strength.

Around her, I have created a much rawer, expressionist world. Coarse paint textures and rectangular planes in cream, sand, grey, black and ochre are punctuated by small accents of red and orange. In some places, the black clothing seems almost to merge with the dark brushstrokes of the background. This creates an interplay between the figure and the painting.

What appeals to me most is that she seems unaware of the viewer. Her gaze is averted; she is fully absorbed in her own movement. For me, this means the work is not just about physical beauty, but also about self-confidence, freedom and inner strength.

‘Beauty and Strength’ combines modern figurative art with expressionism and a painterly quality. A powerful statement piece for lovers of female portraits, movement and contemporary art, and particularly well-suited to a modern, industrial or warm minimalist interior.