Lot: 1 (22 x 17 cm)

Lot: 2 (42 x 30 cm)

Lot: 4 (21 x 28 cm)

Lot: 7 (15 x 21 cm)

Lot: 10 (29 x 21 cm)

Lot: 11 (31 x 40 cm)

Lot: 13 (42 x 30 cm)

Lot: 14 (42 x 30 cm)

Lot: 16 (28 x 28 cm)

Lot: 19 (30 x 23 cm)

And now more than ever: blossoming and bearing fruit together!

Cross-border understanding, solidarity and peace are of great concern to me. Only together can we live well and safely and take care of the urgent problems of our environment.

“I see Europe like a protective patchwork quilt. It is colourful and diverse and consists of many small individual parts that have been added little by little. Stitched together, it offers protection, security and a certain amount of self-confidence to those it envelops. What happens when a patch comes off?
Europe is a bringer of peace not only for us “original Europeans”. People who have fled to us also find protection here and can (hopefully) feel that they belong. I grew up in a peaceful, even borderless Europe. Sometimes I forget that this long period of peaceful coexistence cannot be taken for granted. To recall from time to time what a great task the European Union has mastered – namely the lasting peace in Europe and the friendly solidarity of its countries – instead of just getting annoyed about the smallness of some EU regulations is very salutary from time to time.”

“I believe that every state within the EU is important. Acting together makes you strong. Conversely, of course, it weakens when one country (in this case the balloon with the flag of GB) leaves the alliance. Does it really make sense to define that a Pizza Napoletana can be a maximum of four centimetres thin and 35 centimetres in diameter? But for all the strange, cumbersome and annoying things, one thing is clear: we have moved closer together. For more than 70 years, Europe has been spared wars, we discuss and talk to each other. We should be aware of that. I think it’s great to have the opportunity to express our appreciation of Europe in our own small setting.”

“The peace project Europe is in difficult waters. But that was never, in all honesty. different. Only memory paints the good old days well. Surely not everything is perfect. Not everything that I would like to have is realised by the EU.
And there are also many Europeans in this boat whom I do not like – and who certainly do not like me. But we will settle this here in conversation and according to democratic rules. That makes me and all these people free and gives us endless possibilities. So I hope that everyone will remember to keep the boat seaworthy – and that you don’t let anybody drown in the wide sea. I am taking part in the exhibition because the idea convinced me to see the always somewhat abstract subject of Europe from different, very personal angles. Often the critics of the project Europe achieve media air sovereignty. We citizens of Europe gain a great deal and talk about it too rarely. But both belong together, so that the common Europe can continue to grow. I look forward to the contributions of my colleagues.”

Europe at a crossroad – Stephan Rürup

Discussion of a major joint project– Stephan Rürup

“There are many attempts to sabotage the EU at the moment. Be it through nationalists and populists, the Brexit or disagreement over migration policy.
The work “Europa Rodeo” deals with these various threats to the European project, symbolised by the banderillas used in bullfighting, which are used to attack the bull in order to make it throw off Europe. What concerns me is that a possible break-up of Europe could threaten not only prosperity, cultural exchange and uncomplicated travel, but also the peace that has now lasted for over seven decades. In the context of the exhibition, I would like to contribute with my work to the awareness of the vulnerability of the European Union and the fact that difficult times lie ahead, marked by confrontation and possible violence.”

“I support this exhibition because it is time to confront the anti-European movements and the Brexit. Especially the Brexit vote has saddened me lately. My picture is meant to illustrate various feelings, but above all melancholy in the face of the Brexit (underlined by song titles of the Stones). And we can already say now: “You can’t always get what you want”, “Miss you!” and maybe hopefully: “Tell me you’re coming back!””

“Actually I wanted to draw something very positive, but the more I thought about European peace, the more disputes and disagreements came to my mind. That’s why I think a dove of peace, with a few Europeans in a headlock to help them come to their senses, is a very appropriate idea.
I find the idea of winning over children’s book illustrators, who are actually rather apolitical in their work, to a political theme interesting. I was curious to see what the result would be and I’m even more curious to see what the others came up with.”

“Europe has grown together and has secured peace for us. Now we must ensure that it does not grow apart again. It needs each of us to care for the colorful, blooming and lively meadow of Europe and to keep it together…”