John van ‘t Slot emerged as an artist in the late 1970s, showcasing large, figurative paintings. In doing so, he aligns with an international trend where narrative and expressive painting (once again) gains popularity. For Van ‘t Slot, the focus lies primarily on the thematic and artistic freedom that accompanies this renewed attention for painting. His work is eclectic, not only in theme but also in form and use of color. A recurring motif in his work is the horse, serving as both a carrier of humans and a symbol of meaning. Thus, the representation of horses in Van ‘t Slot’s work reflects various painting styles of the 20th century. This emphasizes that for a contemporary artist, it is impossible to fully detach oneself from the legacy of modernism. The horse becomes the personification of (the history of) painting.
The painting ‘Untitled’ does not feature a horse, but instead a fantasy creature resembling a seahorse. The human figure with antlers standing next to it is in a precarious position: surrounded by fire and sprayed by two spitting clouds. The white shapes near their mouths suggest that this does not prevent them from having a conversation. The use of color in this painting is striking: the figures, together with the background, form a compositional interplay of colors.
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