Een Ode Aan
My collection consists of sculptures centered around the body, paying homage to the Bottermarkt in my village Raalte and the Salland traditional attire. It is not a repetition of the original, but a personal interpretation meant to astonish and engage people, so these traditions won’t disappear. The title Een Ode Aan gives me freedom in my creative process and invites the audience to wonder and be intrigued, just as I feel when I walk through the Bottermarkt.
My fascination with the Bottermarkt comes from the special feeling it gives me. It is something from my childhood that remains important to me as an adult. I didn’t always feel connected to my village, but as I grow older, I appreciate my roots more and more. What moves me is the passion and togetherness with which people keep these fragile traditions alive. Yet I see them fading into the background, and that saddens me. Things don’t need to stay exactly as they were, but my goal is to make sure these traditions don’t completely disappear. Through my work, I hope to contribute to keeping them alive and visible, while inviting others to look at them with renewed interest and appreciation.
