Full title: Ter Apel, 22 september 2022

This tapestry depicts a refugee camp. At first sight, people might think it’s the Calais Jungle, a Greek Island or another run-down camp. But no, it’s Ter Apel in The Netherlands. The Dutch are always proud of how well-organized their country is… but unfortunately, the way people were and are treated at Ter Apel is a disgrace. I decided to turn a news photo by ANP Press into a tapestry made entirely out of buttons.

The buttons represent us as people, as individuals who might look alike but are all unique in our own ways.

The piece is made out of hundreds of embroidered buttons. All buttons are donated and secondhand. For this entire project, more than 130 people donated their used buttons. More than 10 people helped embroider the buttons onto the velvet.

Special thanks go to ANP Foto/Kees van de Veen.