In Maikel’s work, worlds come together: the world of his ancestors and the world of his current life, now.

In his work he combines the culture of the Maroons with Dutch modernism.

Moreover, he pits different techniques against each other: that of craft and handicraft against that of contemporary, high-tech technologies: technology vs tradition. These cross-pollinations result in colorful and substantive relevant works that are, and that is special, very positive and idealistic! Maikel shows great respect for art, people, and culture.

Digital Patchwork Framed Mamjo Installation (DPFMI) 2021
Single edition, 540 x 225 cm, Fabric patterns, foam

Maikel Deekman

He presents an installation in which he combines different elements: a wall with a mosaic of fabric patterns on a wooden frame, flanked by large format color prints that refer to spreadsheets. In front of them are sharply cut foam blocks, topped with calabash filled with colored scented Winti elixirs, resting on circles of coiled internet cables. This work is the result of a personally motivated research in which he dived into the culture of the Maroons and made connections – in color and rhythm – with other angles that appeal to him: from Mondrian to African philosophy.

Framed Skin Installation (FSI) 2021
Single edition, 225 x 205 cm, Cowhide, Fabric patterns, foam

Maikel Deekman

The double frame encloses a cowhide. The story of an enslaved woman who belonged to the slave owner’s inventory on a par with his livestock. The woman and the cow, both chained to be of use in production processes. With her forced labor and procreation, the woman ensured the continued existence of the slavery system.
In the village of the Maroons there is always a place, a communion table, to communicate with the ancestors. Animal skin is also used for the apinti drums. The work has both esthetical and ethnological references.