Sven Atema grew up on Cape Cod, in the town of Woods Hole.  A love of the ocean was natural, surrounded on three sides by water and a string of small islands.  Now after 20+ years in California Atema has currently set up shop once again on the Cape. 

The ocean and issues concerning water are still a pivotal point of reference in Atema’s paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures.  And the close scrutiny of nature and our relationship to it is a thread that connects nearly all of his work.  There are many characters and themes that exemplify this unique work such as evaporation, primates, bowls of water, tentacles, climate change, macro + micro shapes, jellyships, and the number 3.

Humor is also something that keeps it all moving along.

 

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