An imposing presence with a remarkable story: The Blue Dodo by artist Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk. Standing 60 cm tall, this ceramic sculpture is decorated with Delft blue motifs and brings the legendary dodo to life. Thanks to its generous size, the sculpture is a striking art object that immediately catches the eye.
At first glance, a dodo and Delft blue pottery may seem to have little in common. However, those who delve deeper into history will discover a surprising connection. Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk draws inspiration from the history of Asia and the Netherlands, combining old stories with remarkable objects and impressions gathered during his travels. This is how he came across the story of the dodo.
The endearing bird could not fly and had virtually no natural predators on the island of Mauritius, off the coast of Africa. That changed when Dutch traders arrived on the island in the 17th century. The dodo’s habitat was severely disrupted, new animals such as monkeys and pigs were introduced, and several dodos were taken aboard ships as curiosities or gifts for emperors. The consequences were disastrous, and the dodo eventually became extinct.
In Pepijn’s imagination, however, the dodo has been given a new life. The Blue Dodo is a time traveller and adventurous wanderer who travels the world in search of others of its kind and a new home. A remarkable work of art in which history, imagination and the centuries-old tradition of Delft blue come together.
