The colours of the excavation

"In the autumn of 2003 I joined the Tell Sabi Abyad expedition team directed by Peter Akkermans, as an outsider. As an artist I have been working with the theme of 'history that is no longer visible' for a long time now, and I wanted to be right in the middle of things for a change. I needed to experience the colours, shapes, impressions, the landscape and of course the excavation itself at first hand. We agreed that I would work partly for the excavation (drawing to help with the processing of the finds) and partly for myself.

The three weeks of my stay were very special for me. Not only because of the wholly different culture, but also because of the different colours, rhythms, smells and, of course, the work. Because I could not transport large canvases to and from Syria I had to resort to drawings, water colours and photographs.

Back in the Netherlands, the memories, photographs and sketches have been providing me with ample inspiration for paintings. This has resulted in a series of canvases in which colour and shape are very important. The red paintings in particular signify the evening and the night to me. The grey and the brown paintings are the colours of the excavation. With regard to shape I was especially inspired by the vases, their simplicity and their beauty.

To me these paintings express how I experienced Syria and Tell Sabi Abyad. At the same time a source has been tapped which will not run dry for a long time."

If you want to know more about Mieke Verhaar and her paintings, please go to: http://www.miekeverhaar.tk