Tree Of Life

I had long had the idea of combining the creation of two-dimensional ceramic artworks with a special programme item for company parties, congresses and fairs.

And as if by chance, the employees of Rebel’s Funeral Home had the same idea when they contacted me in the summer of 2023, looking for an interesting programme item for the open day of their new company building Het Visnet in Huizen, which they had moved into early 2023.

As the staff of Rebel’s Funeral Home was inspired by my artwork Princess Tree and wanted something similar, I designed the artwork Tree Of Life as a symbol of the cycle of life and death with the underlying wisdom that death does not really exist, but that everything is included in the change and mystery of life.

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I chose the ancient symbol of the flower of life as the basic structure of the artwork and drew a young tree on it – again a magnolia – as a symbol of beauty, hope and renewal, as well as appreciation and loyalty.

I first drew the design on paper in its original dimensions of 180 × 180 cm and then converted it into clay tiles, which I cut by hand from handmade, leather-hard clay slabs.

At the end of September 2023, on the open day of the new funeral home Het Visnet in Huizen, the entire artwork with all its still unfired, leather-hard tiles was spread out on a large table in the entrance area, and everyone had the opportunity to engrave something special to them in the artwork, which was widely and happily taken advantage of.

I then dried and fired the tiles in my studio, glazed them and reassembled the artwork like a huge puzzle in front of the back entrance of the new funeral home.

The lettering and immortalisations of those involved shimmer through the semi-transparent, turquoise glaze as a lasting reminder of their loved ones and a special day.

For further details, check out my One-day ceramic workshop for large and small groups: Creating an artwork for your company together