Introduction
Sense of Place & Belonging
The Sense of Place & Belonging projects explore the emotions and meanings attached to locations, and how people and their surroundings influence one another over time. The goal is to make these feelings tangible through a series of hand-painted prints or other media.
The first project was developed during the Master's program at Design Academy Eindhoven, where an analytical model was created to map how history, personal experiences, and emotions imbue a place with meaning. This model serves as the foundation for the artistic work.
Projects
Sense of Schagen
Discover the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Schagen through a unique collection of 26 postcards, each representing a letter of the alphabet and a captivating moment from the town's past. From ancient traditions to modern milestones, this series celebrates the vibrant stories, landmarks, and events that have shaped Schagen’s identity, offering a visual journey through its heritage, one postcard at a time.
Sense of Oranje
The hand painted picture book Sense of Belonging is the visual outcome of my thesis Representing Sense of Place. To analyse the changing sense of community over the 150-year history of the Dutch town of Oranje, I created an analytical model charting how history, personal experiences and emotions charge a place with meaning.During the next step in my process, I reflected on the experiences of one person during a period of great change. His or her connection to their surroundings and community I then visualised in a series of paintings.The model and paintings I developed at the Design Academy Eindhoven and presented during the Dutch Design Week in 2016.
Sense of Bijlmer
A hand painted reflection based on historical research regarding the changes over time in the Bijlmermeer of Amsterdam. The goal of the project is to capture the rich and multi-faceted history of the Bijlmer, originating in the twelfth century till today.
Here the Sense of Place & Belonging model is again applied. This analytical model facilitates the research of changes over time and the sense of community across a particular region.
Important periods of change in the twelfth, thirteenth and eighteenth century were analysed during the first part of the research project. What was going on then? Who lived and worked where? Why?
The next phase of the project will focus on the most recent fifty years, starting with the architect Siegfried Nassuth.
Sense of Spaarnhoutenhelden
Discover the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Schagen through a unique collection of 26 postcards, each representing a letter of the alphabet and a captivating moment from the town's past. From ancient traditions to modern milestones, this series celebrates the vibrant stories, landmarks, and events that have shaped Schagen’s identity, offering a visual journey through its heritage, one postcard at a time.
Research
During my research at the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2016 I explored the two-way influence between human and place.
About
Sonja de Boer
Sonja de Boer (NL) is an illustrator and textile artist.
Over the past twelve years, she has developed and applied the Sense of Place & Belonging model in multiple cities. Her she explores regional solidarity through time and visualizes it in a unique way. This hybrid model blends analysis with hand-painted storytelling and was first presented at Dutch Design Week in 2016.
Sonja holds a master’s from Design Academy Eindhoven and a Bachelor’s from the Amsterdam Fashion Insitute. She worked internationally, including at the MIT Media Lab, in the creative bubble of Tokyo, and early on at Oilily as a print designer.
Contact
Are you working on or for regional creative initiatives, an art council or a city government and curious how the Sense of Belonging model can fit your region? Please send me a message to explore how we can bridge art with your region, and potential also cultural marketing together.
