Self-portrait as a fireplace (ceramics, iron, cement) 200cm x 130 x 120cm, Amsterdam 2009
Self-portrait as a fireplace is the first sculpture I made after I switched from Fine Arts to Ceramics in 2009. The sculpture was inspired by the experience I had in January 2008 when I fell off a 50m high cliff with a snowboard and broke both of my legs.
Being taken back to the room after one of the operations, I woke up in excruciating pain. After three or four doses of morphine, the nurse no longer paid attention to my ringing.
I had to face the pain. One patient who was lying in the bed next to me put his hand on my shoulder and said respire (breathe).
I followed his advice and concentrated on my breathing. Indeed, as long as I was concentrating on my breathing, the pain would become bearable.
This experience taught me that one can channel pain by controlling breathing.
The sculpture self-portrait as a fireplace tells a story about pain, breathing, and care.
