The Hero in You is a project that lives close to home — quite literally. It started in Avondvrede, the reception house where I have my studio. In the aftermath of the war in Ukraine, I found myself surrounded by people who had lost almost everything, yet carried with them something unbreakable: their strength.

What began as a quiet observation grew into a powerful collaboration with Ukrainian artists — Natalia Kasyanenka, Oleksandr Pinchuk, Vasyl Ramishvili, and Valentyna Sheremetieva. Together, we created a series of works: a moving documentary, a photo exhibition, and a mirror installation that invites viewers to reflect — both literally and inwardly.

With The Hero in You, I don’t want to present art to be admired from a distance. I want to create an experience — one that moves you, stirs questions, and maybe even shifts something inside.
The stories we share — of Ukrainian refugees and Dutch volunteers — are raw, human, and real. They speak of resilience, generosity, and the kind of courage that doesn’t look heroic at first glance.

This project is a call to pause. To feel. To wonder: What would I do? Who am I in this story?

Because in the end, this is not just about them.
Or me.
It’s about you.
The hero in you.