Petrified balance by Niek van Wijngaarden

Petrified Balance is a pencil drawing of a human figure finding balance in silence amid a spiral of stone rings. The soft, vibrant upper body contrasts with the rough, cracked textures: skin versus stone, vulnerability versus strength. The arms reach horizontally like a tightrope walker; not to stagger, but to carry. The spacious white background gives light and breath, allowing the vertical, tapering form to rise rather than crash. The work also provides inner stability: the moment when heaviness turns into grip and hardness gives way to focus. It shows resilience, concentration and the quiet power of balance.

From the series "Ordinaryy people"
At first glance, this series shows strange figures in peculiar situations - rendered in an unusual way. Yet all my drawings in this series have one thing in common: they depict something human.
However funny or droll the image may appear, there is always a serious undertone or emotion lurking beneath the surface.

The characters all seem to be on the move - on a journey, perhaps? On their way to something. What exactly, remains unclear. But one thing is certain: they are all moving in the same direction.

My images are created during spontaneous sketching sessions. When I see something recognisable emerging, I follow that trail and let myself be surprised by where it leads.

Pencil drawing October 2025)