SPEAR is known for his distinctive artistic practice, where classical painting techniques merge with a raw, urban aesthetic, bringing classical painting into contemporary. By drawing on the technical mastery of the old masters and anchoring it within contemporary visual culture, he creates works that balance the historically rooted with the present, often manifested in monumental murals.
This artistic dialogue between past and present is particularly evident in the current work, which is based on the historical context of Tiendeladen in Aalborg.
In the 16th century, Tiendeladen served as a central storage facility for the natural goods that farmers delivered as tithe – a tax to the church paid in the form of crops. This cultural and functional history is a vital source of inspiration for SPEAR, who reactivates the site's significance through layers of symbolism, visual references, and narrative composition.
Gavlmaleriet fungerer hermed som en slags tidslig portal, hvor fortidens strukturer og traditioner bliver genfortolket i et nutidigt visuelt narrativ. Med sin sans for detalje, tekstur og komposition skaber SPEAR en poetisk iscenesættelse af historien.
About the work the artist tells the following:
”Dette vægmaleri er skabt på Tiendeladen i Aalborg, en historisk bygning hvor kirken engang opkrævede og opbevarede tiende i fra bønderne. Ved at male direkte på dette sted ønsker jeg at udvide samtalen om beskatning og dens rolle i samfundet i dag. Den ene side af vægmaleriet viser en hånd, der i hemmelighed tager korn fra en næsten tom sæk under visne blomster – et symbol på uigennemsigtighed, misbrug af ressourcer og tillidens erosion. Den anden side viser en gennemsigtig krukke, hvorfra der hældes korn ud, med frodige blomster ovenover. Krukken er en direkte metafor for åbenhed og gennemsigtig forvaltning af offentlige midler, som nærer et blomstrende demokrati.
This dual reading echoes the ambiguity of taxation: it can either nourish the collective or be misused by those in power. This approach also reflects my broader artistic practice, which draws inspiration from the old masters and brings these elements into a contemporary context. Just as Tiendeladen building bridges centuries of history, my painting technique bridges art history with current social issues, creating a dialogue between past and present.”
Big thanks to all parties involved including Loxam, Plus Malergrossisten, Kompas Hotel og Cafe Ulla Terkelsen London.
Photo | Betina Fleron