‘De Speelkamer’ (The Playroom) is conceived as an installation where the boundaries of the exhibition itself are intentionally blurred, prompting viewers to question where the artwork ends and the space begins. The exhibition retraces a five-year narrative arc, marking the end of a cycle necessary for the artist to evolve and take on new challenges. For five years, Sophie lived in the loft, transforming her personal living space into an artist-run, where she hosted exhibitions, concerts, performances, and gatherings. It was within these walls that the project took form, adopting her surname to become Espace Vanhomwegen. In Flemish, the name translates to “from detours,” reflecting the non-traditional, winding path that all the participants (artists, friends, musicians, collectives) carved out for the project.

‘De Speelkamer’ makes allusion to childhood—specifically, the playful, spontaneous way children invent and create through experimentation and play. Just as a child invites friends over to play, Sophie invited fellow artists into her room to collaborate and create together. Now that she has moved out and the project is evolving, this exhibition marks a transition. It reflects a need to grow, mirroring how a child outgrows their room and moves on to a larger space.

Ultimately, ‘De Speelkamer’ charts the evolution of Sophie’s artistic practice, moving toward reflections on what art means to her and how the creative process serves as a mirror. In doing so, the exhibition reveals that Espace Vanhomwegen was never just a venue, but an artistic project that unfolded over five years without a fixed blueprint. This reflects the broader nature of the creative journey: the necessity of experimenting and exploring without knowing its destination. Through this lens, the exhibition raises a question: does losing our capacity to play mean losing ourselves? And if so, could art become the very tool that allows us to maintain a connection to who we are?