This work is started with the myth of Atlas en Herakles and the book “Weight” in which Jeannette Winterson tells the story in her way. The painting is my version of the story.
The world is heavy nowadays and depends on a shared responsibility. It should be our world instead of people thinking they can own a part by erecting borders. Like we learned nothing from our history.
The original myth: Hercules was ordered to steal the golden apples from the tree in the garden of the Hesperides, but a mortal could not do this with impunity. Therefore, Hercules went to Atlas and asked if he would pick the apples while he would take over the heavens for a while. But when Atlas returned with the apples, he did not want to take over the heavens again and suggested that he deliver the apples himself. Hercules used a trick and asked if Atlas would take over the load for a while so that he could put a cloth on his shoulders to make the weight more bearable. When Atlas lifted the heavens again for a while, Hercules walked away with the apples.