Twijg

The Twijg are cast in bronze and allude to the vulnerability and power of nature. These sculptures reveal how nature is sometimes hidden by a thick layer, whether snow or ice, and how beauty and tranquility can be found precisely in that moment.

Reinier’s artistic practice draws from the principles of Qigong, an ancient Chinese discipline focused on the cultivation of energy through movement and breath. A practice that he has not only studied, but also benefitted from personally. Reinier often works with bronze as a material, and his series of works are deeply influenced by his own life experiences. Everything is in flux, like sand slipping through our hands: change is inevitable and natural. But his works invite the viewer to feel this impermanence not as loss, but as an essential part of life. When we resist this flow, when we try to push back, that resistance manifests as stress, which Reinier believes to be the primary toxin in our bodies. This influence is evident in his works as a constant underlying theme of motion. This focus on movement and transformation finds a powerful expression in his Melting Series. Twijg, seemingly frozen in time, reminds us of the temporary nature of a fleeting moment.

Twijg is also a reference to the ancient symbol of hope: the dove returning with a branch, signaling a new beginning.

Creating a bronze sculpture requires a significant amount of energy. Approximately 8,6 Kg of CO₂ were emitted in the production of this 2Kg bronze artwork. Because Reinier believes that art is inseparable from the earth it comes from, he chose to offset these emissions as part of his commitment to sustainability.

For each work produced, at least two trees are planted via a donation to Trees for All. A tree absorbs over 400Kg of CO₂ during its lifespan, more than 46 times the emissions released.

Twijg is then not only a symbol of hope in form and meaning, but it also makes a tangible contribution to a greener future.