Artwork description: Veerkracht * This work is about the healing power of telling your story. Whether it is in art or in words, telling your story sets you free. When we keep things to ourself as a secret, we remain caged and loose the connection with ourself. The reason for this work is sexual abuse in my childhood at a bird rescue centre where I was working as a volunteer. I kept this a secret for so many years. In my case it is over 40 years ago but sexual abuse still happens every day. Victims often blame themselves. That’s why we need to be open about it. With my work I want to open a dialogue and invite people to tell their story. My installation consists of a cage that is made with 3000 pâte de verre feathers and 10 different pâte de verre panels on which I screen printed my life story with glass powder. Writing my story down was a healing process. The feathers represent hope, faith and a new beginning. * Veerkracht is a Dutch word which means resilience in English. And consists of 2 words namely veer which means feather and kracht means strength.