showcase your art to thousands
of visitors every day

In 1999, under the name ‘Meat Factory’, Jan Willem Wartena (1960) started producing art works inspired by clones and the designer organism, since when his work has evolved from abstract organic to transgenic human. In 1999 he created the artistic works New Skin, and Cherry Baby using a self-developed ‘meat paste’. Unfortunately the paste did not have the physical integrity necessary and Cherry Baby collapsed. This was researched, documented with photos and published on the Internet.

Science and gentechnology is forming a source of inspiration in his work. Wartena brings this in conjunction with unchangeable existential questions. The choice between good and evil, between developing knowledge to create or to destroy, between life and death or to let prevail social interests versus commercial.

“While science is characteristic in our distinction to other organisms, gentechnology has become the revolutionary expansion of grip on nature with which the stronger then before we place ourselves in the role of creator.”

The role which art herein is taking is not less important for Wartena.

“I certainly believe in the reflective function of art in relation to science. Heidegger wrote that the decisive confrontation with technology and science should take place in a domain that on the one hand is related to the essence of technology, and on the other differs substantially from it. This domain is art,” according to Wartena.

In some of his work Wartena manipulates natural growth processes with an almost alchemist’s hand so creating organic structures, fractals and basic forms. With these works Wartena put attention to the relation between processes of growth, form and identity.

In his works he interchange both reality and fiction, directness and reflection, or with the extrapolation of possibilities and trends. In all of his drawings, sculptures, photos and installations a subtle humorous undertone is always present.

Nursing of the Newborn

2005
installation
100x150

Superorganism

2005
50 x 65

Quadropodus

2005
41,5 x 30

Entry earth - Exit heaven

2002
60 x 84

homo sapiens skatesiensis

2004
photo - mixed media
42 x 56 cm

Lisa & Evy - Lab and Wild

2004
photo - mixed media
42 x 56 cm

Lisa & Evy - Lab and Wild

2004
photo - mixed media
42 x 56

humanoid

2003
photo - mixed media - installation
variable