Leon Westbroek

About

My sculptural practice is rooted in a rhizomatic approach, embracing multiplicity, interconnectedness, and non-hierarchical structures of meaning-making. Through this method, I integrate autoethnographic research, lived experience, and material experimentation to explore themes of trauma, memory, and identity. My work expands beyond traditional sculptural forms, incorporating found objects, UV printing, bodily casts, and collage to construct layered visual narratives.

Drawing from artists such as Hannah Höch, Leon Golub, and Thomas Hirschhorn, I critically engage with personal and political narratives, situating my practice within a broader cultural discourse. By rejecting linear and singular interpretations, I embrace the fluidity of research and creation, allowing my work to evolve dynamically through an open-ended process of exploration.

My sculptural language is one of fragmentation and assemblage, reflecting the non-fixed, shifting nature of identity and memory. By continuing to develop this rizomatic methodology, I aim to create work that is both deeply personal and resonant with wider social and historical contexts.

The development of my work has undergone a significant and profound transformation from the first term to the second. While my initial focus was on collective and communal trauma—particularly that which stems from war and conflict—my practice has since shifted toward exploring more personal experiences of trauma. This evolution has been shaped by a trauma-informed approach that remains central to my work. These themes are investigated through the physicality of the body and the symbolic power of memorials, serving both as a way to honour the past and to critically engage with the present.

This series of work explores aspects of trauma drawn from various periods in my own life. Through these artworks, I aim to offer hope to others who have experienced similar challenges, while also creating a space for understanding among those who have not encountered trauma firsthand. By sharing my lived experiences in an honest and authentic way, I hope to present a truthful, non-fictional account that conveys both emotional depth and originality. Ultimately, my goal is to give a voice to the voiceless.