The project on Generaal Spoorlaan in Haarlem began with a workshop involving local young people. We invited them to contribute ideas and sketches for the design. A key priority for this project was to ensure the work was created for, by, and with the neighborhood. We explored what matters to these young people and how that could be expressed through a work of art. Identity and 'flow' emerged as significant themes. I wanted to incorporate not only the thematic insights I had gained into the final visual result, but also the very process of working. I conceived a drawing that would make effective use of what was already present: the bricks of the building itself. In this way, the work would respond to the architecture and structure of the wall, engaging directly with its surroundings.
The laying pattern of the brick wall presented a significant challenge, as the bricks were arranged in what is known as a "random bond" (*wildverband*)—a pattern that appears non-repetitive and, consequently, arbitrary. Painting the bricks using spray paint and a stencil also created an opportunity to involve the local youth. Under supervision, they were able to assist during an afternoon event we organized for the neighborhood. It made for an enjoyable afternoon and generated a great deal of support from the neighborhood. Many helpers stayed on, which created a special feeling; in this way, the work was supported in a very practical manner by the people from the local area.
The final result of this project became much more than just a painting; it became a work for and by the neighborhood. I am truly grateful to the organization and the local community for the opportunity to carry this out. I felt very welcome throughout the entire project, and it was a real pleasure to spend a week painting in this lively schoolyard.
For me personally, there is an additional positive aspect to the execution of this project: I find it quite remarkable that both semi-figurative and abstract elements have been incorporated into a public artwork. This rarely happens, as such a blend can sometimes be perceived as challenging for a general audience. I therefore consider it a significant achievement that these elements were successfully brought together.
