Atelier Tanzania
Naerebout’s Tanzania studio may be her smallest, but it is easy to see how this space inspires her colorful and upbeat art. Set in a tropical garden in the outskirts of Arusha, Naerebout’s Tanzania studio looks out to vibrant pink bougainvillea flowers and stately palm trees. Any number of brilliantly colored tropical birds visit her windows each morning and sometimes, blue monkeys leap from trees, too.
Naerebout’s childhood in colorful Curaçao ignited a love for vibrant hues and encouraged an expression of fun and joy in every piece. Similarly, the flamboyant colors of East African cloth, richly hued beadwork and warm, generous community promote a similar vibe of positive energy. This inspiration, combined with Naerebout’s liberal use of bright colors is part of what makes her art extraordinary.
2006: Arrival in Tanzania
Always an avid traveler, Naerebout was already on the continent when she received a last-minute invite to Tanzania. She arrived in Arusha long after dark. The next morning, she would see the beauty of the area – which sits at the base of a dormant volcano and is wrapped in lush forest – but even at night, she felt an instant connection to the place. The positive energy and friendly community gave a sense of ‘arriving home’ that has stayed with her ever since.
2006: Zanzibar
Later that same year, Naerebout visited Zanzibar. It’s no surprise that she was enraptured by the magical island archipelago off Tanzania’s coast. In addition to the paradise-setting, bright blue waters, and exciting island-life, the artist scene was also inviting and fun. Some aspects of Zanzibar reminded her of her childhood home in Curaçao, while the mosaic of cultures and ethnicities resembled Netherland’s rich diversity, too. Naerebout found Zanzibar inspiring and fun and created quite a few vibrant paintings while residing in Zanzibar.
2008: Arusha
When the opportunity to have a second home and studio in Arusha presented itself, Naerebout felt her heart leap with joy. Enthusiastically, she has set about renovating and decorating a beautiful house in a serene neighborhood that borders a coffee plantation. Part of the appeal of the location is being away from town, but never away from community. The neighbors are warm and welcoming, and her garden seems to be in constant bloom: bursting with flamboyant colors and trees heavy with fresh, tropical fruits.
Naerebout finds that not only the beautiful colors, but the positive people and warm weather of Tanzania influence her art, as well. Her Tanzania studio holds special meaning for her, not only as a tropical retreat where she can focus on her art, but also a place where anything is a muse for her paintings and sculptures, from nature to culture or community.
Msafiri
A wanderer at heart, Naerebout continues to travel the world and draw inspiration from international adventures. However, it is here in Tanzania that she has discovered not only a second home, but a second name: “Msafiri wa Dunia” (Traveler of the World). Although she will always be a traveler, Tanzania is a warm, inspiring springboard and landing pad, where she continues to take artistic risks, liberties with form and color, and share positive energy with the world through her paintings and sculptures.
Text written by Ree Pashley
