Widower Bert de Waal organises heartwarming art exhibition

Twenty years after the tragic death of his wife during their honeymoon, Bert de Waal has organised an emotional exhibition showcasing the work of his beloved Monique. “I’m asking for voluntary contributions to Young Africa, an organisation that provides young people with vocational training. Monique would have loved this.”

A shared love for each other and Africa
Bert and Monique met in Africa during a holiday with mutual friends. It was there that not only their love for each other but also their passion for the continent blossomed. The couple travelled extensively across Africa, from Ethiopia and Gambia to Morocco. In December 2004, they set off on their honeymoon to Libya. The plan was to drive a Toyota Land Cruiser through to Egypt and Jordan, but fate had other plans. En route, the rear axle broke, causing the car to overturn. Monique (37) did not survive the accident, and Bert (then 44) lost the love of his life.

A special tribute
Monique’s art – delicate porcelain and, above all, artistic cooking pots made from chamotte clay containing seeds and sprouting roots – reflects her passion for cooking, nature, and North African cultures. With much of her work still preserved, Bert decided, with the support of his current partner Henny, to organise a private exhibition for invited guests. From his personal collection and pieces from Monique’s now-deceased parents’ house, Bert selected around fifty works for the exhibition, which was held on December 1 in Monique’s former studio in Rijsbergen, North Brabant.

“After her death, I sold some of Monique’s work, but it left me with a bitter feeling. It was never my intention to profit from it. That’s why we decided this time to ask for voluntary donations for an African project that helps young people learn a trade. That’s how we found Young Africa,” Bert explains.

An overwhelming success
A few days after the exhibition, the Dutch office of Young Africa received an email with Bert’s heartfelt words: “The tribute to Monique last Sunday was an overwhelming success. It was well attended, and many warm memories of Monique were shared. Not only that, but many of her works also found new homes. The final amount raised is €4,850.”

The team at Young Africa International deeply admire Bert’s initiative and are moved by this beautiful tribute. Actions like these support our mission to give as many young people as possible a better future. The donation will be directly invested in local projects.

To learn more about Monique Visser and her artwork, visit www.moonceramics.nl.