Connect through art, move people and spread color in everyone's heart is what drives me. This drive seems like an inexhaustible source that I can rely on. In a world where nothing is what it used to be, my drive to create remains my rock, it gives me direction in life.
This year, I have not stood still for a moment and have been overwhelmed by a constant flow of creativity. You know how they say that you only see things once you open up to them? This year I opened myself up to see a bunch of opportunities coming my way. As a result, there have been countless firsts.
Molitor Paris, June 2021, was a first in many ways. The first live solo show since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the show where I revealed my first collection of woven artworks based on DOES’ murals and the first international show that my two sons attended. I could not have been more proud and thankful!
Another unique opportunity came along when Yasha Young approached me with the question if I wanted to make a large scale collage. Although I didn’t think it was possible at first, what I hoped for became reality: VOILÀ, the world’s largest graffiti style collage: https://youtu.be/
As soon as the world opened up a little, invitations started to come in. I travelled to Sweden to create a mural in Helsingborg and to attend the Pow!Wow! festival. I also attended several group shows in the USA - Miami, Denver and Atlanta.
Another first was my collaboration with fashion designer Ronald van der Kemp. He invited me to make a live painting on fabric during the acclaimed Amsterdam Fashion Week in September, resulting in the one-of-a-kind RVDK X DOES. Also unique was my collaboration with Out of, designing a limited artist edition of their Void snow goggles.
If I can say anything about 2021 it is that it showed me how much my art and my being are intertwined. A great example of that was me making a mural in the restaurant of hotel Paradiso during my family holiday in Italy. This year showed me once again the joy of working from home and being able to spend more time with my family as a result.
After all this, 2021 wasn't done with me yet. As icing on the cake, I had my NFT debut. I went full circle with my first digital artwork ‘CLOSED RELOOP’, bringing my paper collage Closed Loop to life in 3D.
However, to make my art live on, I first and foremost need the enthusiast, you. Thank you for your support this year!
Thanks to my amazing team and everyone I have had the pleasure of working with!
Where there is pain, there is hope. And where there’s hope, there’s love, joy and life!
