From Tithe to Taxes

In the 16th century, Tiendeladen served as a central storage facility for the natural goods that farmers delivered as tithe – a tax to the church paid in the form of crops. This cultural and functional history is a vital source of inspiration for SPEAR, who reactivates the site's significance through layers of symbolism, visual references, and narrative composition.

The mural functions as a kind of temporal membrane – an artistic meeting point where the structures and rituals of the past are reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. With precision in detail, sensitivity in texture, and a strong sense of compositional balance, SPEAR stages history with a visual poetry that invites reflection and rediscovery, bringing history into a powerful contemporary expression.

This mural was created on Tiendeladen in Aalborg, a historic tithe barn where the Church once collected taxes from farmers. By painting directly on this site, I want to update and expand on the conversation about taxation and its role in society today. One side of the mural shows a hand secretly taking grain from a nearly empty sack beneath dead flowers, symbolizing opacity, misuse of resources, and erosion of trust. The other side features a transparent jar pouring out grain, with flourishing flowers above it, this jar is a direct metaphor for openness and transparent management of public resources, nurturing a thriving democracy.

This dual reading echoes the ambiguity of taxation: it can either nourish the collective or be misused by those in power. This approach also reflects my broader artistic practice, which draws inspiration from the old masters and brings these elements into a contemporary context. Just as Tiendeladen building bridges centuries of history, my painting technique bridges art history with current social issues, creating a dialogue between past and present.”