Artist Sitnie Waerts, better known as “Sit” creates evocative surrealist paintings that are sexy, violent and darkly appealing. Featuring fashionistas and symbols of death and romance, Sit’s paintings entertain the viewer with their darkly provocative nature.
Roses appear often in Waerts’ art works as either black or white blooms. Roses are a symbol of love, passion and loyalty and are often used as a symbol of these things in paintings and tattoo designs. In the modern Western world, the meaning of roses has changed over time due to celebrations such as Valentines Day. A bunch of roses on Valentines Day is considered a romantic gift. The history of this gift lies in the smoothness of the petals, reminiscent of a woman’s skin and the soft scent of the flower, which has often been used in women’s perfumes. Altogether, the rose is a symbol of sensuality and femininity.
Skulls are a symbol of death and closure. The creature who once wore the skull has died, leaving behind only its physical remains. Skulls can be used in art as a symbol of situations that have been resolved, either through the death of one of the situation’s participants or through all parties deciding to bring an end to the situation. Skull are a dramatic addition to any painting, especially when displayed in the highly contrasted style of Sitnie Waerts.
Another symbol that is prevalent in Waert’s paintings is the snake. The symbolism surrounding snakes varies across the world, with each culture assigning serpents with different mystical abilities. In ancient Greece, snakes were believed to have the power of healing. This symbolism is reflected today in the use of snakes in many medical symbols. Because of the way that snakes slough their skin, they have been used in some cultures to represent rebirth and new beginnings. The symbolism of snakes in design is similar to the meaning of butterflies, whose process of metamorphosis associates them with change. Snakes are ground creatures who slither across the world on their bellies. Because of this proximity to earth and the symbolism of rebirth, snakes can also be a symbol of fertility and creativity.
Sitnie Waerts’ dramatic paintings contain elemental symbols and textures that give her art works substance and vitality. Smoke, ash, dust and dripping liquid all add to the tactile nature of the scenes portrayed in the paintings. Mess and destruction are hinted at through this use of texture, perhaps a reflection on the chaotic nature of life. Personal change is a process of destruction and creation co-existing, reshaping the mind, personality and lifestyle of a person. Sitnie Waerts expresses the process of change beautifully by merging symbols of life and death, destruction and creation.
The fashionista models portrayed in Sitnie Waerts’ paintings are caricatures. Some physical features have been exaggerated while others have been shrunk, creating a surrealist portrait that is both a criticism and a reflection of modern femininity. Waert’s paintings distort reality, showing the viewer what the world looks like through the eyes of the artist.
Visit Sit’s online art gallery for more beautiful surrealist paintings and sculptures.
