Hein's preoccupation with water, both as material and theme, is manifest in his fascination with the sea, a subject that can be seen already in his earlier works. He has always been inspired by the smooth surface of the sea, in its reflective properties, like those of a mirror, as well as in the changing structures in rough seas, and the restless movement of its waves, which remind us of the rhythm of life and how breath flows through our own bodies.

His Ocean Watercolours deal with life in the water and depict a series of marine animals. Some of them were turned into three-dimensional sculptures taking a central motif in Hein’s recent work, the balloon—light, joyful, and impermanent—on new meaning.

Chrome-surfaced sculptures, mimicking the look of shaped mylar balloons, appear to float toward the ceiling, just out of reach. Amongst these shimmering forms are an angelfish, a bat fish, butterfly fish, platax fish and a blowfish, invite viewers to gaze skyward. Resembling passing clouds, they dissolve the boundaries between sky and sea, while reminding us not to hold on too tightly to expectations. At the same time, their reflective finish lends an aura of fragility and preciousness, speaking to the delicate balance between humanity and the natural world.

Year: 2025

Materials Mirror Balloons: Carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, chrome lacquer (silver), magnet, ribbon

Materials watercolours: watercolour on paper

Dimensions mirror balloons: variable

Dimensions Watercolours: 83 x 60 cm (framed) / 74 x 52 cm (unframed)