Art at Table - A Night of Connection, Storytelling, and Resilience

‘We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep.’

— William James

Art at Table is more than an event - it’s a living example of how art can build empathy and connection in our society. It shows that storytelling and creativity, when shared with honesty, have the power to heal, inspire, and bring people closer together.

I've had the honor of being the hosting artist for an Art at Table (Kunst aan Tafel) edition -  a deeply meaningful event organized by the wonderful team at Amsterdam Verbindt. This inspiring initiative is all about the power of community, art and compassion.  Each Thursday, this unique event brings together vulnerable Amsterdammers, artists, social and mental health workers, around a shared table to connect, reflect, and share experiences. Themes such as trust, hope, loneliness, stigmatization, addiction, recognition, etc, are discussed during a meal sponsored and made by lovely volunteers. During the dinner, everyone brings their unique story, struggle, different cultural background, and personal experiences to the table. It’s not a formal event, but a human encounter, a genuine exchange from person to person.

A Historic Setting

The gatherings take place in the iconic Het Veem building, an extraordinary venue with a rich history, today a protected monument and a vibrant cultural hub. Built in 1897 as a warehouse for colonial goods, it has since evolved from an industrial space into a community and cultural space. Reclaimed by artists in the 1980s, Het Veem became home to the Veem Theater and later the Veem House for Performance, known for avant-garde art and community-driven programming. It’s also a home to studios of many contemporary artists and cultural workers. It felt really special to present my work in such a meaningful and beautiful place.

Presenting Breathe  - The Theme of Resilience

For this edition of Art at Table, I presented my story and painting Breathe, centered on the theme of resilience. Breathe is one

of my most personal paintings from the Metamorphosis series. It was created through a process that was both difficult and deeply therapeutic. For me, this piece represents resilience and overcoming, but not in a dramatic or heroic way. It’s about the quiet kind of overcoming, the one that happens gradually, inside, and often in silence. It’s about taking one mindful, meaningful step at a time, the act of courage to stay present and choose life, even when the world feels unsafe.

During my presentation, I reflected on my complex background, the personal and collective challenges and hardships that marked my young, formative years, how they shaped the way I see the world, and how they influenced  the way I express myself through my art today. I also spoke about how I’ve learned from my experiences, how art has become my tool for self healing, understanding, and personal growth.

Below is a short excerpt from my presentation (it is an approximate transcript, because, as always, it was a free-style, ad hoc, speech straight from the heart ;)

Excerpt from My Presentation

'If you look at my paintings, you might notice that some of them are very emotional, even disturbing, while others are calm and dreamy. You might wonder how these completely different directions can exist side by side and come from the same place.

The painting process for me feels like meditation; the world disappears, and I feel calm, grounded, and connected to myself. It’s an amazing feeling, and through this process, I’ve discovered that no matter what is happening around me, I can always find that safe and peaceful place within myself, and no one can take it from me. That feeling gives me a lot of hope and strength. I’m sure everyone has at least one thing, one activity that makes them feel the same way. It can be anything: reading, writing, walking in the park, cooking… It’s different for everyone. But it’s very important that if you find that one thing, you keep doing it as much as possible. It can become a true source of your power and inner balance.

Other times, I begin my creative process with deeper introspection, an honest dialogue with myself. I ask: ‘What is the emotion or thought you’ve carried inside for so long that now wants to be recognized, felt, and released, so you can be at peace?’ Sometimes, an image keeps appearing in my mind, obsessing me until I finally release it onto canvas or paper. It becomes a visual metaphor that often speaks about strong emotions, inner transformations, resilience, renewal, and healing.

Of course, this process can be very difficult. It’s not easy to face yourself in this way, so it can take months and a lot of strength. But once I do it, I can finally see what I could only feel before. I can fully accept, process, and release what was trapped inside.

This process is very therapeutic not only for me, but also for others who see themselves or their own experiences reflected in my work. Because we all share the same human experience. That, to me, is the greatest reward - when an artwork reaches someone’s heart and helps them face their own inner struggles.”

Reflections from the Audience

After my presentation, the dinner conversations that unfolded around the table were truly emotional and profound. The honesty and openness of my presentation resonated deeply with the audience, they could recognize the emotions and identify with their own experiences, so the conversations were touching and inspirational on many levels. Each person connected with the artwork and the story behind it in their own way, bringing their personal stories, emotions, and imaginations into the interpretation. Here are a couple of interesting comments:

A participant, originally from the Philippines, shared:

“I see your artwork as a balancing act of moving between the subconscious and the conscious state. The dark water is the subconscious, unknown, and the radiant full moon represents enlightenment.”

One female participant offered a different, more somber reflection:

“I’m not seeing the central figure coming out from the water to breathe, but sinking down, to end her life.”

That interpretation was difficult to hear, but also deeply honest and human.

A young, but very wise participant said:

"At first, I thought the lotus flower seeds at the bottom of the painting were a pomegranate, because the painting reminds me of the story of Persephone, because she also lives between two worlds, the underworld and the upper world.”

Each of these and many other perspectives opened up new layers of meaning, showing how art continues to live and transform through the eyes and hearts of the viewers.

I was truly overwhelmed by everyone's emotional reactions, openness, gratitude and support.

Gratitude

I am deeply grateful to Amsterdam Verbindt for inviting me to be part of such a beautiful and purpose driven project, and to everyone who joined that evening for their openness, trust, and warmth. Events like this are truly aligned with everything what I stand for as a human being and an artist. They help me to find a strength to continue with my artistic practice the way I do, honestly, deeply, and with a hope for transformation and growth, both collective and personal.

I'm truly looking forward to the next edition of Art at Table in which I'll be the art host, and that will take place in January 2026.

GALLERY