Wondertoonel for Kids

Artist Statement (excerpt)

In 1706, the Dutch merchant Levin Vincent published a book titled Wondertoonel der Nature, showcasing etched images from his collection. This collection included preserved and taxidermied animals, skeletons, mysterious fossils, fantastic corals, and beautiful seashells. Europeans began assembling individual collections of both natural and man-made objects starting in the 1500s. These "cabinets of curiosities" were filled with specimens that ignited wonder about the world and satisfied a fascination with oddities. Over time, these wonder chambers, or Wunderkammen, such as Levin Vincent's, evolved into the modern museums we know today.

Walking through museum halls, I recall the sense of wonder I experienced in childhood. It's an inspiring feeling. Aside from the renowned art museums of the world, I am particularly drawn to medical museums and natural history museums. Museo la Specola in Florence, Italy, is one of my favorites, with its rooms housing eighteenth-century wax anatomical figures that are truly breathtaking. The surreal ambiance of its ancient chambers exhilarates me. There's also a medical museum in Thailand that boasts some of the most peculiar displays I've encountered. I often find these "strange" exhibits to be profoundly uplifting.

I frequently visit the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, where what was once a death trap for prehistoric mammals has become a rich repository of fossils. At New York's natural history museum, I could spend days exploring the Hall of Biodiversity. One wall alone showcases the vast array of life forms on Earth, from diatoms to monkeys. Standing before it, I am humbled by the incredible diversity of strange creatures that coexist on our planet.

Museums are havens where anyone can quietly contemplate and be filled with wonder. When I'm in these spaces, I am compelled to create paintings.

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