City Fragments | Antwerp Edition

City Fragments is an ongoing series that captures the emotional texture of Antwerp through small, intimate scenes. Each illustration focuses on everyday moments, quiet cafés, familiar corners, fleeting light, that shape the way we remember a city. The project grew into my first solo exhibition in Antwerp.

City Fragments began as a personal exploration of place, nostalgia, and the subtle ways cities become part of our inner landscape. After moving to Belgium, I became interested in the fragments we carry with us: the places where we pause, the streets that feel like home, the moments we wish we could preserve.

This series reflects that emotional geography. Rather than focusing on landmarks, I chose scenes that feel lived-in, warm, and rooted in daily life.

In 2025, the collection was exhibited in Antwerp, inviting visitors to revisit their own stories and memories of the city.

I start each piece with observational sketches, photos taken during long walks, and notes about light, sounds, and textures.
From there:

1. I create loose composition sketches

2. Develop the color palette (warm, muted, atmospheric)

3. Build layers digitally or traditionally, depending on the piece

4. Add small details that evoke nostalgia: reflections, window glow, the softness of morning light

The goal is always to capture a feeling rather than a literal place.

Soft lighting, warm tones, and a cinematic sense of framing define this series. The illustrations mix memory and observation, blending real locations with emotional resonance. Each piece is meant to feel like a moment you’ve lived, even if you’ve never been there.