Wedergeboorte = Reborn

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.

However, even after arriving at that decision, time moved on. Exhibitions came and went. Some opened, some closed, and I remained silent. The words were always waiting in my head, but I couldn’t seem to get them onto the screen. I suppose that’s one of the many challenges of self-promotion—it doesn’t always come naturally, especially when you are more focused on the creative process than the presentation of that process to the world. I wouldn’t yet call myself an expert in PR, not by any stretch, but I believe having an awareness of that weakness is already a step toward improvement. Setting a goal, even a modest one like starting a blog post, is the beginning of change. And here I am, finally writing.

The exhibition I want to tell you about is called Wedergeboorte, which is a Dutch word meaning “rebirth” or “being born again.” It’s a powerful and symbolic title, full of possibility, and it resonates with many layers of meaning. This exhibition is especially meaningful to me because it marks a kind of personal and professional rebirth as well—my first proper attempt to engage more actively with my audience beyond the walls of the gallery.

Wedergeboorte is currently taking place in Schiedam, the city where I live and work. I was invited to participate by Zhanhong Liao, a talented artist of Chinese origin who also lives in Schiedam. Zhanhong is not only one of the participating artists but also serves as the curator of the exhibition. She has a wonderful eye for bringing people together and creating meaningful artistic dialogues. For this exhibition, she invited artists from the KunstWerkt group who, like herself and like me, are of non-Dutch origin. In addition, children from the Wereldschool—an international school—were included, which brings a multigenerational and multicultural richness to the event.

Through this thoughtful curation, Zhanhong aims to highlight the vibrant diversity of Schiedam’s community. She draws attention to the many individuals who have found their way to this city from all over the world, each bringing their own stories, traditions, and perspectives. In doing so, she invites visitors to reflect on the themes of migration, integration, and coexistence. What does it mean to build a life in a new country? How do we adapt while still holding onto who we are? What can we learn from one another? These are the questions subtly woven through the exhibition.

Zhanhong’s vision puts these human experiences at the forefront. She reminds us that migration is not just a political topic—it’s a deeply personal journey, one that reshapes both the individual and the place they come to call home. The exhibition becomes a mirror for the city itself, showing how every resident contributes to the living fabric of Schiedam. It is also part of the city’s 750th anniversary celebration, which makes it even more meaningful. This milestone offers an opportunity to look both backward and forward—to honor the past, but also to embrace the present and imagine the future.

As part of Wedergeboorte, I exhibited several of my works. I chose to show two oil paintings firstcompleted in 2024, along with a brand-new piece finished earlier this year, in 2025, specifically for this exhibition. These newer works represent where I am now as an artist, what I’m exploring in terms of color, form, and emotion. Alongside these, I also included three older linocuts from 2017 and 2018. They add historical context to my artistic journey and allow viewers to see how my style and focus have evolved over time.

There is one work in particular that I want to highlight in more detail—but I will save that for the next post. It’s a piece that speaks directly about Schiedam, the city that now plays such an important role in my life. And it will soon be receiving special attention, which I’m very excited to share. So stay tuned. This is just the beginning, and I’m looking forward to continuing this conversation—both about my art and about the broader themes that shape it.