Aaltje Brouwer 2024
Acrylic on Canvas
30 x 40 inches (76.2 x 101.6 cm)
Aaltje Brouwer was born in 1821 in Leeuwarden, a city in the northern province of Holland in the Netherlands. From an early age, her life was marked by hardship. When she was just eleven years old, her mother died, and her father was repeatedly imprisoned for vagrancy, leaving Aaltje to survive on her own.
Her story reflects the harsh realities faced by many women convicted of vagrancy in 19th-century Netherlands. These women often lived in urban poverty, isolated from strong social networks and without the safety net of family support.
Aaltje’s life is a testament to quiet resilience — a story of survival in a society that offered few protections. This painting is an homage to her, and to all those who endure in the face of adversity.
Zeeuws Meisje 2024
Acrylic on Tiles
40 x 24 inches (101.6 x 60.96 cm)
Zeeuws Meisje, or “Girl from Zeeland,” began as a farmer’s daughter in the 1800s and later became the face of one of the world’s oldest margarine brands. Over time, she transformed into more than a symbol of commerce — she became a cultural icon.
But who is she, really?
A “Zeeuw” is someone from Zeeland, a coastal province in the southwest of the Netherlands. People from this region are known for being “rechtdoorzee” — straightforward, resilient, loyal, and unafraid to speak their minds. As I researched Zeeuws Meisje, I realized these qualities aren't just regional; they’re deeply woven into the Dutch spirit. I see them in every Dutch person I know.
In this painting, Zeeuws Meisje presses her face against a wall of Delft Blue tiles — a symbol of tradition and national identity. She leans in, listening to her roots, learning from them, and holding space for the quiet power of where she comes from.
Je Maintiendrai 2024
Acrylic on Canvas
72 x 120 inches (182.88 x 304.80 cm)
15 Pieces 24 x 24 inches (60.96 x 60.96 cm)
“Je Maintiendrai” (I will maintain) has been the motto of the House of Orange-Nassau since the time of William of Orange, who inherited it along with the coat of arms of his cousin, René de Chalon.
In a letter dated January 1565, Prince William elaborated on the meaning behind the words:
Je maintiendrai la vertu et noblesse — I will maintain virtue and nobility.
Je maintiendrai de mon nom la haultesse — I will maintain the prestige of my name.
Je maintiendrai l’honneur, la foy, la loy — I will maintain the honour, the faith, and the law
De Dieu, du Roy, de mes amies et moi — of God, of the King, of my friends, and of myself.
In this artwork, Nina draws on that historic motto, using the vast North Sea and the figure of a swimmer as powerful metaphors for emancipation and resilience. The water becomes a symbol of the enduring strength of the Dutch people — those who have fought, generation after generation, to stay afloat, to rise, and to build a society that values equality and human rights.
“I realized that my fighting spirit through life’s hardships came from this quiet, inherited strength — the unconscious will to 'maintain' passed down through those who came before me.”
Modern Delft Blue tile patterns float across the surface of the work — a veil of heritage — through which identity, history, and progress continue to unfold.
Origin 2024
Sculpture
Mixed Media
24 W x 12 D x 24 H inches (61cm x 30cm x 61cm)
Painted in the iconic Delft Blue palette, this sculpture functions as both a self-portrait and a narrative vessel, weaving together personal memories and the landscapes that shaped the artist’s life.
Delft Blue ceramics trace their origins back to the 17th century, a time when ships of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) returned from Asia laden with luxury goods — among them, Chinese blue-and-white porcelain. Initially used as ship ballast, these ceramics quickly gained popularity in the Netherlands. When war in China disrupted the porcelain trade, Dutch artisans began producing their own versions, leading to the establishment of tile and pottery factories in the city of Delft.
Inspired by this legacy, Delft Blue tiles became known for their delicate depictions of Dutch life — pastoral scenes, maritime imagery, and everyday moments. In this sculpture, those traditional patterns are reimagined to tell the artist’s personal story: one of identity, place, and heritage.
Journey of a Thousand Miles 2025
Acrylic on Canvas
30 x 40 inches (76.2 x 101.6 cm)
A young woman pauses on the path, caught in a quiet moment of reflection before stepping into what lies ahead. The tree-lined avenue — or “Laantje” — is inspired by a real place from the artist’s past, evoking memories of her youth in the Netherlands.
Each tree stands as a symbol of the moments, milestones, and memories that shape a life. The scene is not only a landscape but a deeply personal reflection — a message to the artist’s younger self, honoring the journey behind her and the unknown still to come.
Beter een vogel in de hand dan tien in de lucht (Dutch Proverb) 2024 Mixed Media on Canvas 12-inch Diameter (30.5 cm Diameter) Translation: Beter one bird in your hand than 10 in the air. This proverb expresses the value of certainty and appreciating what you already have over chasing uncertain opportunities.
Wie het laatst lacht, lacht het best (Dutch Proverb) 2024 Mixed Media on Canvas 12-inch Diameter (30.5 cm Diameter) Translation: Who laughs last, laughs best. This proverb expresses the one who comes out best at the end is the actual winner.
Achter de wolken schijnt de zon (Dutch Proverb) 2024 Mixed Media on Canvas 12-inch Diameter (30.5 cm Diameter) Translation: Behind the clouds the sun always shines. This proverb expresses that all bad things will come to an end and better times will surely come again.
Oost west, thuis best (Dutch Proverb) 2024 Mixed Media on Canvas 12-inch Diameter (30.5 cm Diameter) Translation: East West Home is the best. This proverb expresses that one may have crisscrossed the whole world and always had a good life, but one will find nowhere better than at home
Door de bomen het bos niet meer zien (Dutch Proverb) 2024 Mixed Media on Canvas 12-inch Diameter (30.5 cm Diameter) Translation: You can’t see the forest through the trees. This proverb expresses that by paying too much attention to details (the trees), losing sight of the whole (the forest)'
De laatste loodjes wegen het zwaarst (Dutch Proverb) 2024 Mixed Media on Canvas 12-inch Diameter (30.5 cm Diameter) Translation: The last leads way the heaviest. This proverb expresses that finishing a task or assignment is the most difficult; That last part requires the most perseverance.
Proverbs are windows into a culture’s soul — revealing its values, history, and often its sense of humor. The Dutch are especially fond of them, frequently weaving proverbs into everyday conversation. These sayings offer insight into the Dutch way of thinking and their unique style of communication: practical, direct, and laced with wit.
In this work, the paintings are framed within embroidery hoops, with wires still attached — a deliberate nod to craft, connection, and continuity. The hoops reference traditional domestic arts, while the exposed wires symbolize the invisible threads that tie people together across time, cultures, and shared human experiences.
Wind 2024
Matte Print Edition of 25
20 x 30 inches (50.8 x 76.2cm)
Signed and Numbered
Zee (Sea) 2024
Matte Print Edition of 25
20 x 30 inches (50.8 x 76.2cm)
Signed and Numbered
Land 2024
Matte Print Edition of 25
20 x 30 inches (50.8 x 76.2cm)
Signed and Numbered
In this work the artist takes a look at the classical and geographical elements she was brought up in. “Determining the specific elements that convey the essence of my elemental origin has been a thoughtful process. These works reflect the influences of my upbringing and evoke a profound sense of melancholy.”
#ofwhichiam is a collection that explores how cultural heritage shapes us on a personal level. Through art, we trace the stories, traditions, and beliefs passed down through generations — uncovering how our roots continue to influence the way we live, think, and create.
By understanding our own cultural identity more deeply, we open the door to greater empathy and connection with others. In a world often divided by difference, cultural awareness can become a bridge — breaking down barriers, fostering dialogue, and ultimately nurturing peace.
Nina invites artists everywhere to join the conversation by tagging their heritage-inspired work with #ofwhichiam. Together, we create a shared space of acceptance, where every story matters and every voice belongs.