Kitty Berends

Rooted – The Garden and Life as a Living Lab

What began as an artistic investigation into permaculture grew into a personal, philosophical, and existential exploration of what it means to put down roots. The garden became my learning space, my laboratory, my grieving space, and my studio.

My original question was: How can I visualise the principles of permaculture through visual language, and how does that reflect the dynamics of fertility in the soil? I soon realised that it's not just about fertility, but about circumstances. A seed in fertile soil takes root differently in a glass jar than outside, exposed to the elements.

For me, this became a metaphor for how my mother raised me: with freedom and trust. This allowed me to put down roots, develop stability, experience resilience, and flexibility, exactly what I also try to pass on to my students in special education.

Her death brought loss, but also a deep sense of connection. My research became a sensory exploration of growth, grief, and connection.

In my work, I use simple materials and small, repetitive gestures: connecting, organising, and binding. They bring peace, a kind of slowness that creates space. When someone watches, a conversation often arises naturally, through my hands.

This work is a tribute to my mother, to life, and to all that grows.