“After Starry Night”, a response to my favourite Van Gogh painting, is one of her works that deals with the human relationship with modern technology and the natural world. The different shades of yellow and white represent the swirly clouds, stars and moon in the blue night sky. Tijan places pieces of a motherboard on wood and recreates Van Gogh’s bold brushstrokes with cut wires and cables. Sparking my imagination, Don McLean’s “Starry Starry Night” played in my head as I viewed the piece.
We are bound to technology in our world, causing us to lose that connection with nature, even in our own backyards. By showing us how e-waste can be used for better causes, Tijan reminds us of the importance of appreciating nature, even if it’s through our screens.