Den Bosch – An artist who works for three months at the European Ceramic Work Center (EKWC) in Den Bosch usually concludes with a small presentation for intimates and colleagues in the center.

Boris van Berkum does it differently. The Rotterdam artist walked past the business of Frank van Nuus, repairer and dealer in antique clocks and timepieces on the Zuid-Willemsvaart a few times. He thought the shop interior suited his work nicely. “Because it’s also about time and transience”. he says. That is why Van Berkum is showing his work made in the EKWC at Van Nuus.

Van Nuus did not immediately say yes. “I have little knowledge of modern art. So I first wanted to know who he was and what he made. But I like it. He is a craftsman, you can see that.”

Van Berkum (1968) starts his third career with his EKWC presentation. He was initially a political cartoonist, but became best known for Showroom Mama, an artists’ collective in Rotterdam that he set up ten years ago. As of January 1, he will close the door behind him and become a full-time artist.

Van Berkum wants to strive for timelessness with the work. He mostly uses traditional growth forms. Particularly beautiful is a work depicting a fountain. The wall is broken, pieces of facades are in the fountain. On top is a large fruit. “The world we live in now is like an overripe fruit. You wonder how much longer it can go on.”

Brabants Dagblad 27 mei 2006 – Gerrit van den Hoven