An intro to my past solo exhibition in the gallery section of ‘Cultura Ede’ which is a cultural centre in Ede and contains a Theatre, Cinema, Library, Café and Activity centre. I was asked in January of 2020 to take part in this exposition which was set to be openend in march of 2020. Due to the first Corona outbreak of that year, it was delayed because the building had to be closed for public. We had to wait to next fall and in November 2020, I could finally build up.

After making new work as well as refine existing artworks, I had to fill two large spaces in the gallery areas. I went with a bus and two helpers, loaded with artworks, some newly framed, all provided with hanging systems and a big sculpture specially made for this purpose. This was my first solo exhibition. The title ‘Found work’ was chosen to emphasize the proces of making, which in my case has a lot to do with combining coincidence en choice.

Under pandemic circumstances (no opening, no drinks, mouth-mask) it openend at 21 November 2020 and was scheduled for 6 weeks in the winter, ending on the 2 January 2021. Although we did not expect it at the beginning, the exhibition had to close after 3 weeks open, due to new regulations concerning the increase of covid-19 infections. Planned workshops and guided tours could not take part anymore.

Successfully I had welcome some visitors, friends in the first 3 weeks who were able to visit, luckily. Followed by an extended and hard lockdown in the begin of the year 2021, we thought we could open again end of January, maybe February, March? It ended up staying closed till the re-opening in June. Another 3 weeks from the 5th of June 2021 started and made the six weeks of the exposition full, but we were 7 months down the road. It was hard to cope with the uncertainty and the fact that there were works of me hanging and standing in a closed building and I lost connection with what I was doing or where to go. it was difficult to find the energy to go open again after such a long time. To create new energy we made some nice artist presentation videos of me and my work, which I will share in a later blog.

Now a half year later it all has come down a bit, and I realize how special it was to have had this opportunity. You learn so much from making an exhibition and it is important to have reactions from viewers. Work outside your atelier is so much more vulnerable when it is exposed to critics and other demands made by different environments. I have felt I have been a little let down by people who did not come to see the show, which was very important to me and I had put so much energy to. But I am proud that the works did show the quality I put into it and it showed off despite the circumstances, which were not ideal but worthwhile.

I am also happy with the positive feedback and comments I got from my visitors and two buyers who bought an artwork. I can only dream of such a chance to show so much of what I am doing. That special moment when it all comes together, it does not happen all the time. It takes a lot of work.