Festive unveiling of my sculpture “The GIFT, A Tribute to the Caring Human”, presented by the private foundation Charlotte J. van der Seijs.

The unveiling, accompanied by music, will take place at the Residential Care Center Hoevezavel on March 8th at 6:30 PM in Lommel.

Address:
Jan Davidlaan 11
3920 Lommel, Belgium

The GIFT, Origins and Meaning of the Sculpture
Originating Meaning:
The original idea was to depict the artist as the “Saint Sebastian”. As an artist, you often feel deeply struck in the heart, pierced by painful arrows. However, as I developed this idea, which gradually took shape in my mind, I changed my vision: I began to see the artistic vocation not just as a task but also as a gift. This idea evolved into a complex, meaningful concept that I try to capture in the sculpture.

It’s a very long process of endless searching and refining, where my hands gradually shape the clay, embodying all these ideas and feelings, so that the material becomes inspired. The beauty of it is that the sculpture can speak to you without words and gradually communicate its meaning through an inner dialogue with the viewer, who places different accents over time. But I will attempt to express it in words.

Everyone has a gift, something you are good at (however simple it may be). That is your given talent, it’s with you, and you can trust it. It hangs above you as a possibility for development. The development of that gift, such as the vocation of the artist, is not always self-evident and depends on many factors. Without passion and perseverance, there is no art.

It’s been given to us: The gift to be able to help, but it is also a great gift to be able to receive, to be helped, to give. It’s a sort of circle of giving and receiving. A circular movement; you are in good hands.

Sculpture Meaning:

-1 I see it as a GIFT to be able to give and receive.
Giving is symbolized by the figure above, with arms wide open. It’s a symbol of the felt presence of care and love. Together with the figure below, the sculpture forms a continuous movement, a sort of open circle of giving and receiving.

-2 Having, developing, and sharing a gift: the cycle of the inspired, creative artist and the receiving viewer as a continuous circle of giving and receiving. The communication between the sculpture and the viewer, and vice versa. Again, the beauty of a sculpture is that it speaks to you without words, and continually offers a wealth of meanings in dialogue with the viewer. I hope that The GIFT has a healing and comforting presence.