ROOTS (2021)

This immersive installation traces the early roots of Tom Herck’s artistic journey, shaped by his love of graffiti and his upbringing in a working-class, single-parent home. Graffiti became his outlet for freedom and self-expression, leading him across Europe and into the world of illegal train and subway art.

The space includes censored photographs that hint at the rebellious energy of that time, capturing the raw spirit of graffiti culture. At its center is a plaster bust made by Herck’s father, with a toy train running through it—symbolizing the connection between generations and Herck’s evolving identity as an artist.

With tunnel-like passages and a catacomb-inspired atmosphere, the installation reflects on youth, time, and impermanence. Blending funerary symbolism with modern street art, Herck creates a space that honors both personal history and broader human experience.