15/06/2026
Last month, Terra Gallery celebrated its 40th anniversary.
Ever since I first arrived in the Netherlands, the gallery owners, Simone and Joke, have been dear friends to me, more like family, really. My daughter even affectionately calls them “grandmas.” Through them, I have witnessed a kind of vitality that refuses to be defined by age. What does it matter if you are 70? You can still keep creating, still cycle 2,000 kilometers during the summer holidays, and still remain curious and enthusiastic about the world.
The 40th anniversary celebration took place in Delft’s Old Church. Artist friends traveled from all over the world to join the occasion, and the church was filled to capacity with warmth, laughter, and celebration.
Ten years ago, Terra’s 30th anniversary was held in the same church. This year, many artists who came to the celebration again found themselves reflecting on how quickly time passes. In what feels like the blink of an eye, another decade has gone by, yet it has been a decade filled with creativity, friendships, and meaningful work.
I also made a small cake for the celebration and shared it with artist friends who had traveled all the way from China (@红脸蛋蔷薇 @一森泥社 @李振).
I have known Wenna ( ) for 11 years. Back in 2015, she created a two-story-high mural in Delft, and I was one of her enthusiastic “coloring assistants.” Over the years, every time we meet, our conversations always revolve around two things: food and creativity.
Whenever I see Wenna, I am struck by the natural, otherworldly quality she carries with her. She seems untouched by the noise and pressures of everyday life, as if she inhabits the very mythological world she creates. Perhaps that is why she is able to bring so many unforgettable immortals, spirits, and magical beings to life in her art.
