Exhibition and stories at Klooster Nieuw Sion

Klooster Nieuw Sion organises inspiration meals: a special monastery evening where, at long tables, you can enjoy a delicious meal and a fascinating final course. A wonderful way to satisfy your hunger, to enjoy, to go deeper and to set off with fresh inspiration. What a lovely invitation I received from Annelies Steensma, one of the organisers. She asked me to take care of this final course. On 31 May, guided by my wooden sculptures, I will take participants round the exhibition in the atmospheric monastery. You can be there too. The photo alongside is of the library in the monastery.

Two years ago I visited a minister in Apeldoorn. My eye fell on a row of books, all by the writer, philosopher and theologian (and sociologist too, no less…) Tomas Halik. I was allowed to borrow a number of the minister’s books. ‘Raak de wonden aan’ (Touch the Wounds) was the first I read. After reading this book, which is about the wounds of Christ, I was deeply moved. I saw the similarity between his texts and my artworks; his words and my sculptures. Both needed years to ripen into something of value. At the monastery evening I will take you through my process.

Short summary of the book ‘Raak de wonden aan’ (Touch the Wounds) by Tomas Halik

A collection of incisive essays in which Halík penetrates the mystical, deeper layers of faith. Raak de wonden aan by Tomáš Halík contains fourteen theological-philosophical essays on the mystical deeper layers of faith, and a surprising, incisive and even humorous commentary on the present age. The Czech priest and professor takes the story of doubting Thomas as his starting point. It takes courage to face the wounds of our world and to touch them with faith, a Christian faith that is itself marked and wounded by that touch.

This presentation is now over. The closing question at the end of the evening, asked by Annelies, was: what appealed to you? Which piece, or was it Wiebe’s story? Someone put it in one word: ‘COMFORTING’. Others present agreed. It was a successful gathering around the sculptures and their stories.