This painting is part of the Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art, a showcase of outstanding work by senior high school students from across Queensland. The exhibition at the Queenland Gallery of Modern Art in 2025 celebrates young artists’ creative talents and their reflections on identity, agency and perspective. Through their art, these students explore the beauty of everyday life while questioning materialism and prompting us to think more deeply about connection, belonging and the world we live in today.
Evie Kolff van Oosterwijk
England/Australia b.2007
Brisbane Girls Grammar School
A Dark History 2024
Oil and synthetic polymer paint on canvas
In A Dark History, the concept of human impact is explored through a focus on the lasting effects of Dutch colonialism on contemporary society. I highlight these remnants of a colonial past by utilising familiar motifs of the Dutch Delftware teacup through repetition of blue floral emblems and colours. Fluorescent orange engulfs the negative space, creating a stark contrast that draws eyes in and encourages viewers to closely at what is hidden amongst the innocent looking teacup. The alarming symbols of suffering slaves, dominating trade ships, and the repeating logo of the Dutch East India company are revealed. The dark truth is unveiled, raising awareness of the dark history of Dutch colonisers and the sugar trade. This work acts as a warning and prompts us to question how something as seemingly innocent as sugar can have such a dark history.
