Hengelo residents: Hengelo is a wonderful city in which to live, work and live. And Hengelo people are hard workers. Always has been. And now they are working together on something very beautiful: a renewed city center that looks to the future with confidence. A cozy and compact city center that welcomes visitors with open arms. With this image, the artist really wants to contribute to what makes Hengelo so unique: lively, skilled and resourceful and a place with personal attention. 

Red, big, cheerful and open

The large red statue (7 to 8 meters) has a cheerful and open character, it is interesting to look at from all sides. Rising high and almost beckoning, it welcomes people who go to the center or want to stay in the park for a while. The formal language refers to the power of Hengelo and the Lambertus Basilica: that is why the sculpture is made up of architectural curves and the window arches of the basilica, combined with figurative shapes and industrial elements.

The figurative shapes make it accessible and give it a personal touch. How the sculpture was made with its welds and curves is reminiscent of the time when Hengelo had and still has many skilled craftsmen. The statue fits organically into its surroundings: you can walk through it, it forms a unity with the surrounding greenery and it fits well with the contours and size of the basilica. All forms merge dynamically and reinforce each other. In sunny weather, constantly changing shadows are created on the surfaces, which creates a beautiful play of light. This sculpture will be realized in 2023