I created this piece specifically for the exhibition Wedergeboorte. I wanted to present something special—something that tells a meaningful story about Schiedam and its people. But also about myself. After all, I’ve been living here for eight years, and I’m still working on making this place my own.
Last Sunday marked the grand closing of the remarkable exhibition titled "Polska Pasja" "Poolse Passie" at the Flower Art Museum in Aalsmeer. This exhibition was truly one of those incredible experiences, not only because of its impressive duration of three months, but also because it was the longest show I have ever had the pleasure of participating in. The exhibition was enriched by a variety of engaging events, including concerts, workshops, and special celebrations for occasions like Women's Day and Polish Culture Day. However, what truly stood out were the talented artists whose works were on display. It is worth noting that all of these artists hail from Poland, yet they have made the Netherlands their home and continue to create their art here. The idea for this vibrant exhibition was conceived by a dedicated museum volunteer, Monika Rosel, who had a vision for showcasing Polish talent. The museum's director, Constantijn Hoffscholte, enthusiastically embraced this idea, recognizing the significant Polish community residing in the Aalsmeer area. The exhibition was expertly curated by Karina Tan, who meticulously prepared every detail and selected artists based on recommendations from Dorota Roszkowska, ensuring a diverse and captivating collection.Dorota herself is an accomplished artist, known for her unique acoustic paintings that draw inspiration from the vastness of space. Her works were prominently displayed in the center of the museum, serving as a stunning backdrop for the podium where all the events unfolded. Additionally, the theme of nature was a common thread among the artists' works, which aligns perfectly with the museum's focus, as indicated by its name featuring "flowers." Among the exhibits were breathtaking landscape photographs by Daniel Kempiste, realistic still lifes painted in oil by Krystyna Grzybowska, innovative no-waste fashion dresses designed by Violetta Riedel, and expressively painted floral compositions by Maugosia Sycz. Not to be overlooked, her sister Justyna Prennards-Sycz also contributed with her beautiful paintings featuring plant motifs.My personal favorite was the incredible work of Iśka van Kempen-Jarnicka, whose tapestries are nothing short of amazing and showcase her exceptional skills and unique talent. For this exhibition, I was invited to present my series featuring butterflies, which I had completed some time ago. In preparation for the event, I wanted to create something fresh and new, so I decided to cut out a large butterfly and a beetle from linoleum and print them. To add a special touch, I covered them with metallic foil, giving them a distinctive look. While these new pieces were slightly different from the rest of my series, they beautifully complemented it. During the exhibition, I also had the wonderful opportunity to conduct two linocut workshops, allowing me to share my passion for this art form with others. It was a truly fulfilling experience that I will cherish for a long time!
I was wondering what would be the best topic to start a blog on my website. I’ve had this idea circling in my head for quite some time, and like many people who set out to begin something new, I’ve spent a fair amount of time hesitating, pondering, and postponing. Starting is always the hardest part. It’s that first step that seems so simple in theory, yet turns out to be the biggest obstacle in practice. I considered various themes—should I begin with a personal story, a reflection on art, or perhaps something more practical? Eventually, I came to the conclusion that a natural place to begin would be to write about an exhibition I am currently taking part in.
