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

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