ROOTED

An Architecture of Belonging

True sanctuary is rarely a place it is a state of being witnessed.ROOTEDexists to challenge the boundaries of where we feel "at home." It is a visual manifesto asserting that identity, whether queer, cultural, or religious, is not a static point on a map, but a living, breathing root system. This work was created to dismantle the "us vs. them" narrative, replacing it with a stark, beautiful reality: that our shared vulnerabilities are the only soil in which true peace can grow.

The Narrative: Common Ground in the Dunes

In the desolate expanse of the Dutch dunes, two worlds converge under the boughs of a Scots pine. Arjan Spannenburg utilises high-contrast monochrome to strip away the distractions of colour, leaving only the raw geometry of an encounter.

The tree, with its exposed and weathered roots, serves as a mirror to the figures it stands firm in shifting sands, just as the human spirit must find footing in shifting social landscapes. By bringing together the figure in traditional Middle Eastern garments, symbolising a world often not fully understood, and the vulnerable protagonist, Spannenburg creates a "Common Ground." This is a space where the trauma of discrimination, felt deeply by both the LGBTQ+ and Muslim communities, is acknowledged and then transformed through proximity.

The Artifact: Resilience in Monochrome

ROOTEDis a 80 x 120 cm fine art statement on resilience. The viewer is met with a profound silence. The dark, structured fabric of the garments acts as a protective shell against the pale, infinite horizon of the dunes.

For the international art collector, this piece offers more than aesthetic beauty it offers a dialogue. It is a sophisticated exploration of multicultural integration and the psychological search for safety. It speaks to the curator who values art as a bridge a way to find the "Common Ground" that exists beyond the borders of our differences.