With this work, I became a finalist in the Art for Peace, International Art Competition 2024.
I photographed a series of handmade tiles in Porto, Portugal and was struck by the hard material that seemed to melt at the same time.
It reminded me of the impenetrable armour we sometimes surround ourselves with. A hardened protective exterior that we have carefully forged over time.
This armour may seem unyielding, unbreakable, impenetrable, but behind this wall (of course) all sorts of things happen. This is where our heart beats, ardent, longing, yearning and vulnerable.
I painted the picture as an ode to the moments when someone or something is undeterred by the hard exterior and lets the armour melt away, revealing all the beauty that protected it before.
Hence the title: melt with me.
Daphne Depassé lives in Amsterdam. Her work encompasses various styles and techniques, including digital painting, drawing, audio, video and photography. "I almost got sucked into the habits of the art world (one unique style) and took myself too seriously. Fortunately, I found myself again and.. Read more…