Ganesha’s Gate

Ganesha’s Gate is a beautiful example of community-based art, created by artist Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk, also known as Cirque de Pepin. This project was completed in 2012, commissioned by ERA Contour, and coordinated and produced by Mothership.

The artwork is located in the inner courtyard of the residential complex De Oriënt in The Hague. The commission involved decorating the ceilings and edges of three domes in the courtyard, enhancing their connection to the building’s oriental architecture. What makes Ganesha’s Gate special is its participatory process: residents and future residents were invited to collaborate with the artist during creative workshops to help shape the designs.

The participants’ input was incorporated into the final paintings, which were then hand-painted onto the ceilings by Pepijn and an assistant. The result is a series of colorful, meaningful images that not only enrich the architecture but also symbolize community spirit and cultural diversity.