Made by People
In his powerful painting Made by People, Jan Kluveld makes a compelling artistic statement about war, aggression, and humanity’s destructive capabilities. At first glance, the artwork seems fluid and attractive, yet a closer look reveals that the apparent beauty is deceptive. The intense collision of red, blue, and white symbolizes conflict, chaos, and violence, while its seemingly liquid texture evokes flowing blood and tears, the relentless suffering that results from human actions.
The composition features sharp contrasts and intense movements, symbolizing how war and destruction leave profound marks and tear lives apart. Kluveld employs an abstract-expressionist technique that echoes the emotional weight of Picasso’s renowned Guernica. Just as Picasso visually represented war and human suffering, Kluveld abstractly and subtly highlights how aggression lies hidden within human creations, sometimes even masked by beauty or progress.
With this title, Made by People, Kluveld confronts us directly with humanity’s responsibility. The painting serves simultaneously as a mirror and a warning, inviting viewers to acknowledge their role in ongoing cycles of destruction, while also evoking the universal yearning for peace.