Zelfportret 2002 nr. 129 2002

This is Philip Akkerman's Zelfportret 2002 nr. 129, made in 2002. Wow, this piece has so much character. It’s like a map of somebody’s face, all these lines working together to define the shape and shadows. You know, I bet Akkerman was really in the zone when he made this, totally focused on each stroke. It's cool how he uses all these tiny, intricate strokes to build up a sense of depth and volume, almost like he's sculpting the face with his pen. And those eyes, man, they really draw you in, don’t they? The repetitive lines remind me of Hokusai’s ‘Great Wave’, but with way more face. Thinking about Akkerman’s wider practice, I feel like this piece fits right in – he’s always pushing the boundaries, trying out new things, and not afraid to get a little weird. It's all about the process, the exploration. Ultimately, it's not about perfection, it's about the journey, the conversation between the artist and the work.