'Creeping Ivy (ancient graffiti)' depicts an image that can originally be found in the archeological site of Smyrna in present-day İzmir, Turkey. More specifically, the ancient ink drawing was found in the basement of the Basilica which lies at the heart of the Agora and can be dated back to approximately 200 AD. The meaning of the image is hard to define since the study of ancient graffiti has only gained momentum over the past two decades, but it is difficult to attach definitive meaning to an individual’s scribblings.

Commonly associated with ivy leaf in Ancient Greece was Dionysus, god of wine-making, ecstasy, fertility, theatre and festivity. Often depicted on objects used during marriage rituals, ivy held a strong association with love and fertility. Being an evergreen plant creeping ivy was also associated with immortality and fidelity since the plant is hard to stop from growing and prefers to grow on steep surfaces like walls and facades, as does graffiti.

Reference image:
Creeping Ivy (ancient graffiti), 2023
Neon
90 x 85 cm

Created during Bos Academie residency
Shown during TRAFFIC SIGNS TRAFFIC SIGNS at Het Bos, Antwerp in 2023 and later in STRAAT at valerie_traan gallery, Antwerp in 2025
With the support of the Flemish government

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