Thank Dog we shot our way through the food chain

In his work, Deelstra enjoys playing with the idea of the manageability of nature. He is fascinated by the extent to which humans seek to exert control over their environment. According to Deelstra, in the Netherlands, we have an uneasy relationship with what we call ‘the wild.’ Illustrating this discomfort, is the return of wolves in the Netherlands, an event that has sown much division.

Deelstra: ‘We now live in an environment that has been almost entirely shaped by humans, but it’s not something we often consciously realise. Predators have been replaced by pets, vast meadows have been reduced to parks, and hunting mostly became a sport. These developments have led to instincts and bloodlust transforming into innocent games. Nostalgically, dog owners still toss a rubber chicken in the park that squeaks when the dog bites it - allowing them to derive satisfaction from this ‘victory’.’

‘The return of the wolf is seen by some as a step backward and something we should prevent. It is, of course, ironic that precisely the animal - whether in its domesticated form - that has aided us humans for a long time, for instance as a hunting or guard dog, is now a reminder of our own manipulability.’

For this series, Deelstra employs collage techniques, giving rise to strange visual contrasts that further heighten the sense of alienation during the sketching phase. This technique is utilized to amplify the contrast between order and disorder. The work emits an organic and natural feel, yet the image is cleaved by strict lines and transitions. The use of colour and painting technique is light and playful - the depicted deceased animals take on a somewhat tragicomic quality. Deelstra seeks to entice his audience: with the comfortable colours and pink frames, he almost lures you into this trap.