One of the people who migrated from Suriname to the Netherlands during the 1975 wave of immigration is Faisel Saro. He is of Surinamese descent, born in Willemstad (Curaçao), and raised by his grandparents in Paramaribo. His grandfather was a shaman, and following in his footsteps, he also strives to bring people into balance.
At the age of seven, he emigrated to the Netherlands, where he was reunited with his mother and sister in the Vinkhuizen neighborhood of Groningen. It was not until later in life, at the age of 35, that he attended the Minerva Art Academy in Groningen. His artistic research is focused on a highly specific subject: his own body. A severe traffic accident and a chronic illness have shaped this concept. His body serves as his artistic compass. From injuries, inflammations, and healing processes in his body, he derives meaning.
He feels a strong connection to certain places and has discovered that there are locations where he experiences physical sensations such as trembling, excessive sweating, an accelerated heartbeat, and dizziness. When he has such an experience, he investigates the place, then develops the results in his studio and transforms them into artworks. In a subtle way, the spiritual and ritual traditions of his Winti faith are reflected in his work. Faisel Saro seeks to add new perceptions to Western thought through the philosophical approach of his works.
With his participation in the cultural manifestation Bitterzoet Erfgoed, Faisel Saro has firmly established himself as an artist. His intriguing and mysterious works have been exhibited at the A-kerk, Museum Volkenkunde, and the Groninger Museum, where his artwork Keloid is on permanent display. Faisel Saro also creates works outside the museum context. At the Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival 2023, he presented his large-scale artwork Genius Loci, capturing the spirit of the Noorderplantsoen. Additionally, during the Keti Koti celebration in Groningen, he collaborated with the audience to create a social sculpture that connected the people of Groningen.
Faisel Saro is the founder and chairman of the Kwaku Groningen Foundation, which connects the people of Groningen with the city’s slavery history. He also serves as an advisor to the Municipality of Groningen on issues related to racism.
