Becoming mum and dad (2026) Original Oil Painting by Mieke van Os

A work of art, especially made for Linking Worlds. The theme of edition 2026 is "The First Time..." For me it's obvious: there's only one moment in your live that one is becoming mum or dad and that is the moment of your firstborn child. Although more children may follow, at their moment of birth you already are mum or dad.

That's the story behind this work of art. In short: "You're doing well, you're doing well" - and then a little newborn human is lifted high into the air, new life blossoming, overwhelmingly big and yet so small at the same time. How beautiful you are. For us the very, very most beautiful thing that exists. From now on the measure of all things, our lives have been invisibly rearranged forever. Mum and dad by now. Mum, dad, father, mother. That one word: how vulnerable you are when people call you by that name. Everyone makes their way up the ladder of generations. Uncertain at first, with thousands of doubts that pop up just as suddenly as pink underpants from the washing machine. Raising a little one is a process of trial and error. From our parents, we've been given something immeasurably great: the ability to love, to receive love and to give love! Love for you, it's there in abundance. Time brings us closer together, makes me a mother my husband a father, and makes us parents together.

Materials used:

oil oilsticks graffiti spray paint markers alcohol ink acrylics gesso

Details:

• Oil painting on Other
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 70 x 70 x 0.4cm (unframed)
• Ready to hang
• Signed on the front
• Style: Expressive and gestural
• Subject: People and portraits