Mother Nature

During one of the corona lockdowns, artist Pablo Slenders sat on a bench on the Tubastraat, longing for fresh air. The courtyard where he lived at the time looked out on a grey wall. Sketchbook in hand, he drew his neighbour across the way, staring into the distance from his balcony, and then the dull wall behind him. That drawing became a request to housing association Area: could he chalk the wall? He got permission, but chalk turned out to be the wrong material and the idea went quiet.

Three years later Area called. They had kept the sketch in mind and had followed his work since. This time the answer was paint.

Pablo developed the drawing together with his former neighbours into the calm, self-assured woman who now holds the wall. Dark green and natural elements settle the image; the patterns keep it moving. The bird stands for freedom and trust, the cat for rest and shelter. Area rebuilt the courtyard garden around it, and the municipality backed the project.

"Something this small growing wings, that is what stays with me."