Scherven brengen geluk

"Scherven brengen geluk" explores the fragile nature of childhood. In collaboration with a therapy group, participants painted their happiest childhood memories on ceramic plates. Each plate carried a choice: keep it whole, or break it. Both choices tell a story.

"In the space between those edges, there is room to remember, to feel, and to grow."

Rebecca's graduation project "Scherven brengen geluk" is an installation about the fragility of childhood, expressed through ceramics and video. Inspired by her own youth, which was not always carefree, she worked with a therapy group to paint ceramic plates.

Each participant was invited to capture a joyful childhood memory, and then faced a choice: keep the plate whole, or break it. Both decisions carried meaning, protecting what was good, or releasing what was heavy.

The plates, whether intact or shattered, symbolize how memories can be preserved or fractured, yet still hold value. By translating the unbreakable plastic tableware of childhood into fragile ceramics, the work reflects how vulnerable those early years are.

The installation brings together painted and broken plates, video fragments, and glimpses of Rebecca's own ‘broken’ childhood. It invites visitors to reflect on their own past, and see the beauty in the dark clouds.

Rebecca presents her work together with Design Perron at the 'Design Perron Graduates 2025' location, where several graduates showcase their projects.

Play video

About Rebecca Stroeven

Rebecca (2000) recently graduated from University of Arts Utrecht (HKU) as a Graphic Designer. Her work explores nostalgia, play, mental health, and LGBTQ+ themes. Color and experimentation are central to her process, where she enjoys pushing the boundaries of design. She works with various materials, such as ceramics, a medium that fits her experimental, playful process and is always unpredictable. Her work, full of layers, invites people to pause and look at the work closely.

rstroeven@me.com rebeccastroeven.nl

As featured in