After starting with a 6000kg raw block of marble and carving away 3000kg all by ourselves, the new "neighbourhood mother" (as she is already called by residents of Amsterdam West) has finally been placed in her new home at Bos en Lommerweg 260.

The woman, woman of color, woman with a headscarf, is so much more than only the perception of her; she is a human being just like everyone else, a natural part of society. With this art work "(Zoals) ze is" (As she is), we emphasise that she is fed up with all the judgements about her, and that she is freeing herself from all the stereotypes that are hanging like a millstone around her neck. She just wants to be herself. 

Rubia Balsem captured it beautifully with the poem below:

For who wants to meet me, with open vision. Without judgment. Here I stand. Born out of many hands. Home in this city. Call me woman, Maker. Thinker. Neighbour.  Hero. Human. In marble. I create space. For tenderness and strength, Between doubt and determination. Together in love and mercy. Toward unity in difference. With the courage to be. For every woman.

Artist: Narges Mohammadi

Master Stonecarver: Mattis Nicklas 

Local Artisans: Nemire, Raziye, Shanaz, Yamina

Commissioning Party: Gemeente Amsterdam Stadsdeel West (Marieke Gerritsen, Harold Schouten, Lisanne van Steen)

If you want to see more about the process, check out my instagram page:

5 marble reliefs for NAP+, presented by Copperfield, London

Artist: Narges Mohammadi

Master Stonecarver: Mattis Nicklas