THE
QUEST TO MY ORIGIN
Distracted by the din
of everyday life, the inner world slumbers. She waits to be explored.
But
my attention is focused on a technical and scientific future.
That’s
how my life evolves until 1991. Then I realize that I should develop an
essential part
of
myself: the natural and creative process.
My
eye for detail focuses mainly on the mental
and
physical processes, but somewhere deep inside of me, I feel that I should
train
my
emotional and spiritual capacities. Thus I will grow into a ‘whole’ being.
In the end I cannot keep it off any longer: I start the quest to a higher
purpose in life.
I live as I
dreamed
This period is marked by
a great interest in my nightly dreams, which I observe, write down
and analyze. The
dreams that stay with me to this very day and still evoke strong feelings
are
the dreams in
which I learn to fly and do magic.
I
reach the conclusion that first of all
I should become ‘natural’ again. I
investigate the natural processes outside and inside myself. Back to nature, to
me that means to find myself in nature and make a new connection.
Connections to
the spiritual,
and be creative as the spirit itself. Gradually I
approach
my inner kernel. My
old perception of the world crumbles.
What
you see is what you are
First
of all I make a close study of plants, particularly trees; subsequently I
examine animals
and
men. While I used to observe them independently from each other and myself, I
now am more interested in their mutual connection and their relationship to
myself. I descend more and more into myself and gradually I perceive myself in
connection to the world around me. I become more aware of synchronizations. Call
it coincidence. During this time my life is strongly ruled by the number 13, the
pre-eminent number of transition that I notice around me time and time again.
“What you see, is what you are”.
My
intuition becomes stronger, my vision more and more holistic and suddenly I come
across a word that reflects and describes the experiences that come from my
dream work: ‘shamanism’. It’s a funny thing: I came across the word
‘shaman’ through the British pop group ‘the Schamen’ that had a minor
hit record at the time. Soon enough it becomes clear that their lyrics are
inspired by a re-experience of shamanism in the current times. My interest in
pre-Christian traditions and religions increases. Many of them reflect my
natural preferences that also
stem
from my ancestors.
The
worship of nature and being connected to the spirit take on an increasingly
important role in my life. I come to realize that the life force inspires
everything that emanates from that force. To me this is illustrated by a
remarkable observation: synthetic materials, like plastics, appear transparent
in the other reality. This also says something about me: I only want to
‘see’
what
is natural.
Self-expression
as the key to success
My
creative forces keep on growing. Mental leaps and associations gain more and
more significance. I’m starting to feel like a man who is inspired by the
soul!
Every
creation is a meditation. Whatever I need, will cross my path, if I only want to
see it. One shamanistic object after another is born out of my hands, and it
becomes clear that there is a demand.
In
addition to color, form and symbolism I also use sound. Sounds of rattles and
drums as an intermediary between this and the other reality. At this point I
come into touch with the art of the Indians of the northwest coast of
North-America, like the Tlingit, Tsimshian, Haida and Kwakiutl. Their art
captures my heart.
Balance
Inspired
by the art of the northwest coast Indians I transform the tools that I make into
art. After some time different directions start to develop. I concentrate on the
ones I choose to follow. Most of my art shares a common linear, energetic
designing technique. Through my experiences as an electro technician I
understand the behavior of energy: the streaming, organic female forms in
combination with the geometrical, concentrated male forms. Each time I seek a
balance between the flowing, organic female and the constructive, abstract male,
both in form and color.
Intuitional
wood carving
Leading
to an interpretation of my personal myth
"What
is born into the material world, also exists in the spiritual world"
My
motivation to personal growth is assimilated in my art. Thus my personal myth
unfolds, reflected by my work. Every object marks a certain period of my life. I
shape and form
my
wood carvings and paintings in a meditative state of mind. Afterwards I try to
interpret
my
work. In addition to the universal meaning, the colors, formations and images
first of all
have
a personal meaning, and aid my personal growth. The interpretations of others,
coming
from their point of view, are like a new mirror to me, and often are just as
valuable.
‘What
you see, is what you are’
Other
works may arise from an imagination that I receive
through
a dream or vision. I then try to materialize this image as accurate as possible.
MY
MOTIVATION
The
motivation of my work is to follow the road of the heart and restore
the
relationships with all that is natural inside and around us.
Working
intuitively with color, form and sound is a vehicle
in
the healing process. Symbols are keys.
I
want to inspire others by giving workshops, helping people to discover
their
own ‘gifts’ and talents and learn to work with them. One of my own
‘gifts’
is
to make art and shamanistic objects of protection, that match
an
individual’s situation. This is accomplished by imagination, empathy
and
following the perspectives of the person in question.
