Walter van Oel (The Hague, 1942) is a Dutch artist known for his poetic abstraction. He has had solo exhibitions in, among others, the Stedelijk Museum Kampen and twice at the Museum Jan van der Togt in Amstelveen. Additionally, he has participated in exhibitions in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, Indonesia, Spain, and the United States. In 2017, he presented more than 30 paintings at the Artipico Art Gallery in Schiedam. Walter studied in the 1960s at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. He initially began with a realistic style, but soon developed a more abstract approach characterized by a deep spiritual and philosophical undertone. His work is heavily influenced by the cultures of the Far East, especially Buddhist culture. This is clearly reflected in his paintings, which have a sacred aura. Van Oel makes use of Byzantine colors, as well as a lot of gold and silver, which, according to the artist, refer to the relationship between the sun and the moon. His work is infused with signs and symbols, fragments and hints that invite the viewer to journey into his inner world. The result is art that stems from a deeply personal experience of the world and radiates a great sense of tranquility and balance. Despite his flamboyant personality, there is a serenity in his work, often built in layers that retain depth. A large part of his work is created on Bali (Indonesia), where the peaceful, spiritual environment has a significant influence on his creations. This artwork reinterprets an iconic image from popular culture through a contemporary lens. A repeated portrait, rendered in soft layers of pink, magenta, and orange, occupies the surface in a rhythmic grid. The repetition transforms the familiar face into both symbol and abstraction — an emblem of beauty, fame, and the fleeting nature of image itself.