Dick Berckenkamp

In Composition III (Heroes), Dick Berckenkamp transforms the searching lightness of his series into a powerful, almost monumental gesture. The title evokes an exploration of strength, presence, and rebellion—themes reflected in the high-energy color palette and the dense layering of lines.

A rising dynamic manifests at the center of the image. The black contour lines, which appear particularly bold and confidently set in this work, suggest several figures. These “heroes” are not naturalistically tangible bodies, but energetic apparitions rising from the colorful chaos. The vibrant pink and red tones at the center form an emotional heart, radiating energy, power, and passion.

Stylistically, the work moves beyond a purely representational depiction. It uses slight naturalistic contours merely as anchor points to primarily represent what the human eye cannot perceive in this way: the moment of heroism as pure feeling and energetic discharge. The combination of soft, broad applications of color and rapid, almost sketchy lines creates a visual tension that interprets the act of “heroism” as a constant process of becoming.

Despite the color density, the work maintains its clarity through cleverly placed white and turquoise accents. These points of light function as a necessary contrast to the heat of the central composition and give the figures room to breathe. Composition III (Heroes) is thus far more than a heroic depiction; it is the visual manifestation of an individual energy that transitions into a collective goosebump moment—a vibration that goes directly under the skin beyond the visible world.