“Mum says we’ll never be able to buy a house of our own.”

For five-year-old Reeza, this makes little sense. So, stone by stone, she sets out to build a solution of her own.

Stone by Stone is an art installation and scenographic work that grew out of the world of my novel IK BLIJF! The project explores financial insecurity through Reeza’s story.

With this project, the process went the other way around. I started with an installation and scenography, and from there, the idea for a children’s book grew. The book is now in the making. Children’s drawings inspired by Reeza’s story will help shape the illustrations.

Stone by Stone was the first pilot within The Experience House, a project bringing together art, research and people with lived experience. Developed in collaboration with people with lived experience and researchers from Utrecht University, the installation was presented at Utrecht Central Library from 17 to 25 October 2026, with two reading and drawing sessions for children.