Reen Sanderse Art

“The innocent series” by Reen Sanderse

 

“Children are often depicted as having no past, which contributes to their magical innocence.”

Milan Kundera

 

The close connection between childhood and innocence emerges as an axiom from which one cannot but start when addressing these two issues.

Certainly many steps forward have been made since the condition of childhood was that realistically described by Dickens in “Oliver Twist” relating to nineteenth-century England.

The steps forward refer more than anything to the awareness of the rights of minors which does not always coincide with the respect of such rights.

Even less correspondence is found if one leaves one's own sphere and considers what happens daily in the other world, the one far from the sparkles of the so-called first world.

Suddenly one forgets, or even worse hides from one's eyes, the reality in which the great majority of children in the world live, since birth.

Here then we discover, with a small and simple basic calculation, that in the current humanity, seen as a whole, the condition of children is certainly not the best.

The phrase by Milan Kundera, mentioned above, tells us of the innocent and magical smile of children who, having no memories, having no past, cannot but cultivate the hope of the future.

We often make the mistake of seeing this problem, like all problems, only in a global perspective, accepting in fact that the solution can admit some errors statistically detectable in a few percentage points.

If instead we started from our own subjectivity looking into the eyes of the children who are part of our life we could certainly understand that no error is admissible and that life is one and unrepeatable and must be cultivated by supporting it from childhood.

Child labor, wars, famines, harassment of all kinds and persecution of all kinds always see children as their first victims.

Reen Sanderse expresses through her art an extraordinary ability to bring us back to the individual, to the boy and girl in front of us.

This excellent artist skillfully mixes the elements and with apparent simplicity brings us back to the magical innocence of children that Kundera talks about.

There is no need to talk too much. It is important to give space to one's feelings. It is important to act.

With this selection of works Reen Sanderse offers us excellent food for thought, in a dramatic historical moment, without hiding her feelings that are reflected in her works.

Works in front of which one cannot remain indifferent.

 

Alfonso Caputo

Artistic Director of  MIDAC Museum

Belforte del Chienti - June 2025