Tentoonstelling

In the context of World Deaf Day, the expo: STEM of the ARTIST. Together with Jan van Genk (81 years old), attention was drawn to the impact that deafness/severe hearing loss can have on someone's life. Jan has been deaf since birth and has increasingly used art as a means to communicate with his surroundings throughout his career as a professional artist. That we can offer a listening ear. To be heard. To belong in a pleasant conversation with friends. This is so taken for granted for many. Jan grew up in a time when there was little to no audiological care available. This has had a significant impact on his life. And this is reflected in his works. A beautiful gallery where we can both showcase our artworks. So different in style yet still connected. Jan's work is expressive, and every brushstroke is well thought out. Every figure has a story. My own work is primarily based on feeling. But there are many figures in my work as well, which the viewer must seek out themselves. The beauty is the conversation that arises. Yesterday, Jan had a sign language interpreter with him all day. How wonderful it is to hear his stories. And because Jan usually communicates in writing with a small notebook in his hand, he has developed a skill to express something briefly and powerfully. It's almost poetry how he writes. Words like "image music," "image waves," but also his view of the world, make conversations with Jan a word artist. How great is the compliment I received from Jan. He only just realized in my life-sized artworks how sound should sound. Openness. Harmony. The calm. "From deep below to above. Towering high," he described it. To see the frequencies of sound on the canvas. We have had incredibly beautiful conversations in the past weeks, together with his interpreter, and through his art, Jan was now human. In a notebook, he usually writes in short, catchy words what he wants to tell you. Later yesterday evening, he wrote to me: "I forgot I was deaf these past weeks." The last word "was" speaks for itself. How beautiful this profession, audiology, is to help people who have a hearing problem in any way. Hearing is more than just the ears. The fact that we can have a conversation makes us human. To be heard. To be able to offer a listening ear. The feeling of belonging in a conversation makes us human. The ART of HEARING. More information about the exhibition STEM of the ARTIST. https://artichoque.nl/expo-stem/