By Jan Kuhlemeier
70 x 60 cm, 2020
Gel medium and acrylic on canvas

For his Backwash series, Jan Kuhlemeier further explored his fascination for natural phenomena. Backwash refers to the motion of receding waves that collide with incoming waves. This motion causes the water to leap up in the air, creating curtains of colour under the right circumstances. Jan aims to translate this energy into a visual image. The paint and the power of colourful pigments create a specific depth and transparency, similar to the curtains of water in the ocean.

The Backwash series result from continuous research into different colours that work and collide with each other simultaneously. Most of the backwash paintings are built op with darker, more opaque colors that have a transparent layer on top, creating gradients on both sides of the work.