this is why there is a huge, sad boy sitting on the Kees Stipplein

If you walk into the center of Veenendaal in the near future, you will come across a huge work of art. Since the beginning of this week, a boy in a bright yellow jacket has been cowering on Kees Stipplein.

As soon as you stand next to the impressive statue, you have the urge to comfort the boy. Because of his crouched position and the candles you feel a heaviness. That is also the goal of artist Saskia Stolz: with her work Silent Struggle she wants to break a taboo.

Scream for attention

Suicide is the number one cause of death among young people under 30. The number of suicides among this target group has increased in recent years. On average, the number of suicides among boys is twice as high as among girls.

The image of the depressed boy on Kees Stipplein draws attention to this subject. Saskia: “There is quite a taboo on depression, while talking about it is so important to break the isolation. This image screams for attention.”

Read more under the photos >

Traveling work of art

Saskia’s organization Power of House Art runs the Silent Struggle campaign, of which the traveling artwork is part. With a height of 2.5 meters and a length of 4 meters, the statue is virtually impossible to miss. You can view the artwork in Veenendaal until Monday, November 13. The work of art will be officially opened by councilor Martijn Beek on Friday, November 3 at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome at the Kees Stipplein in front of De Cultuurfabriek.