Street Art At The Sluis

Street Art at the lock in Heumen: Art as a bridge to the past
A special street art work was recently created at the lock in Heumen by the artist duo MORISgraffiti and Sander Dolstra, under the name DOOLHOF Production. The work of art is not only a visually striking appearance, but also a tribute to the historical events that took place here during the Second World War.

The old bascule bridge as a reminder
The mural features an image of the old bascule bridge that once stood next to the lock. The image is designed as if it were printed on photo paper and attached to the wall with drawing pins. This choice of style gives the impression of a temporary memory, as if the past is briefly presenting itself, fleeting but important. It is a reminder of how the bridge was once part of the landscape, but has since disappeared.

Historical context: Lock during the war
The lock at Heumen played an important role during the Second World War. In 1940, it was captured by the German army as part of the invasion of the Netherlands. Four years later, in September 1944, the lock became the scene of fighting between German troops and American paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Market Garden. Eventually, the Allies managed to capture the lock, securing a strategically important passage.

Bullet holes as part of the story
A striking detail in the mural is the depiction of bullet holes. These refer to the real bullet holes that were once visible in the walls of the lock building. Over the years, these were accidentally bricked up during renovations. The artists have chosen to symbolically bring back these 'scars' in their work. In this way, they create the traces of the violence of war

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Source

• Text: RJArmy.nl
• Photos: RJ Army

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