At the heart of this work lies a
personal journey—one that acknowledges the presence of both darkness and light
within us all. Femke believes that true growth requires moving through
darkness: confronting personal demons, long-held pain, grief, and the patterns
shaped by past wounds. It is only by facing these internal shadows that we can
begin to transform them and ascend to a more conscious, lighter state of mind.

“There is no light without
darkness,” he reflects. “Without darkness, we would not even understand what
light is.” From this contrast, beauty emerges—just as flowers rise from dark
soil, transformation is rooted in the unseen depths. This work becomes a visual
and emotional expression of that journey. Though the process of turning
inward can be daunting, the artist invites the viewer to discover what lies beneath
the surface: moments of softness, unexpected insight, and a quiet sense of
healing. The piece is both a confrontation and a release, reflecting the
spiritual and psychological pathways that open when we allow ourselves to go
deeper.

Ultimately, it is about
emergence—a growth that brings new perspectives, new connections, and a renewed
sense of possibility. Through this work, van Gemert shares a deeply personal
evolution, offering a space where others might also begin to see their own
darkness not as an end, but as the beginning of something luminous.