April is Ember with Marijke de Pous - 11th Anniversary of CM Rotterdam!
• – • Spaces
About the speaker
Marijke de Pous is a visual artist based in Rotterdam with a background in philosophy. While working she playfully moves between drawing, performance, sculpture and photography. A kind of thinking through making, which foregrounds the entangled and conflicted nature of our being in this world. Driven by a celebratory appreciation of creative belonging, her work also gives voice to intense emotions of sadness, outrage and anger. Whatever the outcome, she sees her practice as a way of nurturing caring, intimate & creative relations to life. Marijke’s work is exhibited internationally and is part of several private collections. She is also an experienced webdesigner, the artistic lead of Alteropia, and affiliated artist-researcher at Copernicus Institute. She previously worked as co-founder & director of DRIFT Transition Academy.
Marijke will take you on a journey through her work and return to artistic practice. A visual and embodied account of embracing the embers within, even when none seem to be there. A story of patience, surrender and ultimately, of creative belonging to time.
Additional details
The literal meaning of ember is a small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire. But as a metaphor, it means so much more.
Our Poulsbo chapter had this to say about the significance of this month’s theme:
“Embers represent the quiet, enduring remnants of fire—what remains after the intensity fades. They carry a smoldering potential, a subtle strength that holds heat long after the flames have gone. As a quieter community outside the city, we may not always burn the brightest, but we never burn out. Our spark lives in reflection, resilience, and the space we have to pause, think, and grow.
In those calm moments, we find what many others miss: the steady glow of ideas, relationships, and dreams that don’t need noise to thrive. Embers remind us that even after challenges or change, something powerful remains—ready to reignite when needed. We hold that same quiet fire within ourselves, and in community with each other, we kindle more.
Together, we tend the quiet fire—fueling one another through presence, care, and shared warmth.”
What ember is quietly glowing inside you? And what new fire will it ignite in your life?
Location
