Claim Stake

Claim Stake is a compelling oil on board painting by Alvira Ferreira, created during her 2015 art residency at Glo'Art, Belgium. The composition unfolds as a rich tapestry of imagery and emotion, deeply influenced by Alvira's South African roots and her unique experience in Europe. By fusing photographs taken during her sojourn with her artistic vision, Alvira constructs an open-ended narrative that invites contemplation and dialogue.

In the presentation of herself planking at the center of the canvas, Alvira harnesses a social media trend that gained prominence in the early 2010s. During its peak, planking—lying face down in unusual or public locations—became a playful yet also provocative form of expression, serving as both a statement and a performance. In Claim Stake, this act transcends mere trendiness; it becomes a metaphor for belonging and assertion of identity. Planking symbolizes a moment of surrender and vulnerability juxtaposed with the act of staking one's claim in an unfamiliar landscape, highlighting the duality of exploring new places while maintaining ties to one's roots.

The painting's rich color palette and dynamic brushwork encapsulate the vibrancy of Belgium’s environment, contrasting with the introspective act of planking. By positioning herself in this manner, Alvira immerses herself in the context of her surroundings while simultaneously imposing her presence upon them. This act of self-referencing embodies the push and pull of cultural exchange—the tension between individuality and the collective experience of being a foreign artist in a new land.

Through Claim Stake, Alvira Ferreira eloquently articulates a personal narrative that reflects on the themes of exploration, identity, and the transient nature of art. It is more than a mere document of her experience; it becomes an emblem of the artist's journey, marking a pivotal moment in her life that resonates with anyone who has grappled with the complexities of belonging and expression in a shared world.