Rini by Grietje Killian

Rini was initially painted on a small canvas by Grietje Killian and was translated into this mural by Painture Collective. Rini, a resident of Oude Westen, held a prominent status within the local community. He devoted himself to various social initiatives, contributing positively to the neighborhood. He organized outings and parties, introducing fun initiatives for the residents in the neighborhood. Rini actively participated in the Action Group Oude Westen, served as a volunteer coordinator at the nursing home De Leeuwenhoek, as well as at the shopkeepers’ association on the West-Kruiskade. On special occasions, he often dressed as the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus, creating cherished memories for the locals. His alter ego, ‘Tante Leeuwina,’ became a household name and is now greatly missed.

Following his unexpected passing in 2017, the neighborhood joined forces to create an homage for him that worked as a memoir. His wife specifically wanted an artist from Herenplaats to be the artwork’s author, who was chosen with the help of a contest. Grietje Killian was the winner, whose colorful composition with defined and playful outlines stood out. 

About the artist:

Margriet Killian was born in 1969 and has participated in exhibitions with Herenplaats since 2016. She enjoys mixing different techniques and diverse materials, distinct from other atelier artists who usually rely on the same ones. She also likes to change older creations, giving them new life by combining fragments of them with new drawings. Cutting and folding her drawings is also part of her process of continuously changing her art, making her and the public see the artworks from a new perspective; collages are something that she finds attractive, and she often does.

The daily moments that Grietje experiences can become her inspiration, sometimes in an unconscious way. They always leave an impression on her that she expresses through drawing, painting, and writing, another one of her passions. Always challenging herself, she doesn’t like to be in a comfort zone and searches for constant evolution on an artistic and personal level. In her own words, “My life begins where my comfort zone ends.”

About Outsider Art and Galerie Atelier Herenplaats:

Outsider Art, also known as Arte Brute, emerges from individuals who break away from the rules of art academies and often create without social constraints. This art form typically showcases an unpolished and raw appearance. It comes directly from the inner self of the artist, without passing through a “filter” of quality and conceptualization. Usually results in a very individual style that doesn’t fit the traditional art standards. A few examples of outsider art are people who belong to culturally isolated groups, such as psychiatric patients, but also children, prisoners, or homeless people. In the case of Herenplaats, they dedicate their formation to people with intellectual disability or psychiatric backgrounds. The atelier adapts to their needs, where employees are trained in art, teaching and social work.