In ‘Happiness is a Duck’, Hannes D’Haese brings together humour, colour and wonder. The title alone raises a smile: how can a duck symbolise happiness? The work’s strength lies in this unexpected pairing. D’Haese invites us to step away from logic for a moment and see the world through a playful, affectionate lens.

 

The duck has a striking presence. It is both familiar and strange, simple yet meaningful. By placing an everyday animal centre stage, D’Haese transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary. ‘Happiness is a Duck’ seems to suggest that happiness need not be found in grand or sublime moments, but in the unexpected, the absurd and the small things.

 

The title also shapes how we experience the work. ‘Happiness’ is a broad, abstract concept, while ‘a duck’ is concrete and commonplace. Bringing them together creates a tension that is both humorous and poetic. Viewers do not need to explain the work fully. Above all, it invites a feeling of lightness, pleasure and momentary wonder.

 

D’Haese uses humour as more than decoration: it is a way of challenging the seriousness of the art world. Beneath the playful presentation lies a simple but powerful thought: perhaps we do not always need to understand or pursue happiness. Sometimes, recognising it when it appears unexpectedly before us is enough.

 

‘Happiness is a Duck’ is therefore more than a cheerful image. It invites us to look at the ordinary with fresh eyes and discover something special within it. The duck becomes a symbol of happiness that is light, unexpected and perhaps all the more valuable for it.