On Top

On Top (2018–2025) is a work that spans multiple years in Berend Strik's ongoing practice, exemplifying his interest in themes of status, achievement, and the physical locations where power is displayed or contested.

The title "On Top" suggests both physical elevation (being on top of something) and metaphorical supremacy (being the best, having power). Strik frequently explores how spaces — from homes to institutions to landscapes — encode and display power relationships.

Strik's process involves photographing everyday scenes and then enhancing them with textile interventions. The "top" in his work is never simply geographic — it is always also social, psychological, and political. By adding fabric layers and stitched details, Strik creates a visual record of power that transcends the documentary photograph.

The extended creation period (2018–2025) suggests a work that evolved over time — perhaps a subject Strik returned to repeatedly as new perspectives emerged. This patience and sustained attention is characteristic of his practice, where works develop through extended engagement rather than single sessions.

Sources: Galerie Fons Welters