Oud-West, Thuis Best

Oud-West, Thuis Best (Old West, Home Best) is an artwork by Arno Coenen, designed in 2007 on commission from Stichting Paradiso in Amsterdam. The piece consists of a monumental tile tableau made of ceramic, glaze, transfers, gold luster, and wood, measuring an impressive 3 meters high and 6 meters wide. It has since become part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

The tableau features a quasi-traditional frame of blue Moroccan tiles, incorporating the Andreas crosses from Amsterdam’s coat of arms. Within a second, computer-like border, Amsterdam flags are depicted on both sides, enriched with Moroccan stars and flanked by two climbing Dutch lions. At the center stands a portrait of William of Orange, based on the work of Adriaen Thomasz. Key, surrounded by various figures — notably including two kickboxers.

The inscriptions on the tableau, such as “Oud West Thuis Best,” “Vastberaden Heldhaftig Barmhartig” (“Resolute, Brave, Compassionate”), and “Here 2 stay,” emphasize themes of solidarity, pride, and belonging. With the phrase “maar het zijn wel onze […] Marokkanen!” (“but they are our […] Moroccans!”), the work explicitly refers to contemporary debates about national identity and multiculturalism.

Oud-West, Thuis Best combines traditional visual language with modern iconography, forming a powerful visual ode to diversity and connection within urban society. The ceramic execution was carried out by Norman Trapman. Mothership supervised the production.