Lasercut | Print on wood and plexiglas • 60 x 90

This is a reliquary that honors the inner child, which is manifested through (forgotten) toys. It is a research project that explores the connections between religion, storytelling, dreams, magic, toys, and relics. I strongly believe in the existence of the inner child.

The inner child is like a saint, an innocent angel, a true protector of who we are and who we can become. It is a source of comfort amidst the chaos of life, offering us magic, silence, happiness, answers, and above all, healing.

Based on my own experiences and conversations with dear friends, I advocate for honoring the inner child through rituals. These rituals allow us to dress, act, and play as we wish, paying tribute to the promising child within us. By embracing our inner child, we bring brightness to our lives, even when we feel forgotten or lost. It guides us towards the life that was always meant to be lived.

The inner child can be demanding and self-centered in a positive sense. It often surfaces when we bury negative past experiences or difficult emotions. This is especially relevant for those who don't believe in religion, feel they have to rely solely on themselves, or struggle with anger, sadness, loneliness, or a sense of being lost. I dare you to believe in and listen to the child within you. Can you let yourself surrender and embrace it?

Toys hold a forgotten significance. They become mystical objects as time passes, carrying the dust and remnants of a different life. Suddenly, we find ourselves transported back in time, experiencing the sensory aspects—smells, sounds, and emotions—associated with the toys. It's like reliving a visual dream. In this process, we confront the beauty and pain that life has brought us over the years. It becomes an unconscious ritual of healing, almost magical in nature.

However, it's not the toy itself that possesses the magic; it's the magic we attribute to it. Ultimately, each of us is the saint of our own life. If you want to evoke that magic, perhaps you can start by playing with a toy.

© 2023 Maryk Dijsselhof • KvK: 91032873 • the Hague, Netherlands.