Friendship
It was a game in which we both played a leading role. The neighborhood we grew up in served as a backdrop, and roles were interchangeable. Sometimes he led the game, and other times it was my turn. Boundaries didn’t matter; We were one. Not knowing that the game we were playing was unique and exceptional
For this ceramic sculpture, Rona, I revisited my childhood years in my hometown, where we, along with the neighborhood children, experienced various adventures together. It was a game in which we all played a role, and the neighborhood served as our backdrop. Sometimes my childhood friend led the game, and other times it was my turn. There were no boundaries; we were one. At that moment, we didn’t realize how unique and special the game we played was
The sculpture I created for my childhood friend exudes the essence of a princess, adorned in a dress with the pattern of the Frisian flag. The hem of the dress forms a canal, with the houses of our neighborhood community lining its edges. In the center of the canal stands a powerful woman, connected to the mainland by two bridges on either side.
These bridges can open and close. Boats with playing children and adults float in the canal. The red facades with open windows provide a view of this scene. Everyone can participate, and even through the folds of her skirt, you can navigate.
The dress is inspired by a coat of arms from Scandinavia and forms the basis of the current Frisian flag dating from the 11th century. The original color palette of this coat of arms consists of a blue background with three diagonal silver bands and seven red water lily leaves. I replaced the red color of the water lilies with the original green, as you can still find it on the Frisian waters.
The powerful woman in the center of the sculpture wears a headdress inspired by a Stupa, a Buddhist shrine that houses relics of Buddha. These relics are preserved for the day of resurrection. With this, the sculpture symbolizes the endless source of eternal rebirth, a story that never ends, where you can be born again, be young, and play.
I named the sculpture ‘Rona,’ which means ‘rugged island’ and can be used for both a boy and a girl. How appropriate for two children playing together, a boy and a girl.
