An ode to transience by Esther de Wit

About "An ode to transience"

by Esther de Wit

About the artwork

In this dilapidated space, the ravages of time are unmistakably visible. The photo shows a weathered wall, covered with peeling paint in shades of blue, green, and orange. Each layer tells a story — from careful finishing once, to gradual neglect now. The paint flakes off in chips, as if the room is shedding its history bit by bit. The texture of the wall is raw and vivid; it is no longer a flat surface but a landscape of decay, built from color, grain, and cracks.

Against the right side of the wall stands a discarded door, leaning at an angle in the corner. The wood is damaged, parts are broken out, and the original paint is also slowly peeling away here. The worn appearance of the door contrasts beautifully with the sunlight streaming in through a window. This light casts a warm glow on the wall, bringing the colors and textures vividly to life. The play of light and shadow enhances the feeling of stillness — as if time in this space has momentarily stood still.

The scene raises questions. What kind of place was this once? Who last opened this door, and why was it never closed again? The space seems abandoned, yet it is full of presence — of memories, silence, and the inevitable beauty of decay.

This photo is more than an image of decay; it is a quiet testimony to impermanence and the power of time. In the peeling paint, the discolored plaster, and the discarded door lies an unmistakable aesthetic. A reminder that nothing lasts forever — but that precisely in decay, something wondrous is found. A poetic portrait of abandonment, light, and the slow work of time.