In Ben Sledsens’ new body of work, An Apple for the Road, vibrant fields of color meet methodical patterns, creating a serene yet intimate atmosphere in his paintings. Born in Antwerp, Sledsens uses drawings as a starting point, translating the most striking details onto canvas. His repetitions and layering techniques form dense scenes, such as willow trees and boating docks, where life pauses momentarily. The viewer is invited into domestic and landscape spaces, with soft light and the haze of dusk reflecting a sense of the transient.

Sledsens’ bold use of color contrasts with the quiet, introspective nature of his work. While his paintings are filled with recognizable imagery, the artist’s focus on fleeting moments hints at deeper questions about human attention and the transient nature of life. Sledsens’ work, on view at Tim Van Laere Galler from September 3 to October 10, offers a moment of pause in our fast-paced world, inviting us to appreciate the beauty in the mundane.