Kimberly Witham

“. . . like a house of Jan Steen”
-Dutch expression describing a messy or chaotic place

These photographs are my homage to the work of Jan Steen (Netherlands, 1626-79)

Steen’s paintings depict domestic chaos with lush color, immense detail, and ample humor. Parents are asleep or drunk, the children are up to mischief, and the pets take advantage of the mess. I am particularly drawn to the animals populating Steen’s images. While there are monkeys, parrots and exotic creatures; the dogs are my personal favorites.

I have long been a fan of Steen’s work, but in recent years his images resonate more deeply. With my own feral son and two rambunctious dogs, my daily life often seems “like a house of Jan Steen.” The photographs in “The Hounds of Jan Steen” envision pets creating havoc while the adults are out of the room. Making these photographs transformed my studio into a living Jan Steen painting. My well laid plans turning to chaos.

Website www.kimberlywitham.com