Denim shorts are the ultimate summer staple for most of us, but Dutch artist Berend Strik manages to transform this seemingly mundane clothing item into a true work of art that commands your attention. The three close-up photographs of pearl-studded shorts remind us of Warhol’s iconic silk screen prints with their graphic boldness, stark contrast, and vibrant primary colors: yellow, blue and magenta. This contrast continues in the subject of the image: the denim shorts scream casual couture, whereas the pearls indicate riches and royalty.  

While this is definitely a fashion statement we like to see, this artwork offers even more! If you come a little closer, you will notice an additional layer: velvet fabric, carefully hand-stitched onto the buckled belt by the artist himself. Much like the pearls on the shorts, this makes each print a rare and unique find. It also adds a softness to them, that complements the static element of photography. By these digital and physical alterations of his work, Berend invites us to play with our concept of an image. He merges our reality with more colorful, imagined ones. This is intensified through the anonymity of the woman who is wearing the shorts. Since we only see her hand resting against the side of her body, the space for interpretation remains open, inviting us to imagine ourselves in her shorts! 

Art Fix: the woman might be anonymous to us viewers, but Strik met her personally during his residency in Beijing in 2012. After months of Chinese movies, Strik wanted to watch an English movie: and what else happened to be showing than The Fast & Furious. For this occasion, his interpreter showed up in this spectacular outfit, which the artist was allowed to photograph and transform into these beautiful prints for our Art Fixers!