Installation
2011–ongoing

The ongoing project De moeders van Klarenbeek (The Mothers of Klarenbeek) by Birthe Leemeijer was commissioned in 2010 by Vleeshal and developed specifically for the Kunst in de Wijken (Art in the Neighborhoods) series, in which residents of Middelburg could choose a work of art for their neighborhood. In Klarenbeek, residents chose Leemeijer's design: women who had become mothers since 2008 could receive a fruit tree in their garden to mark the birth of their baby. Each participant received a tile next to the front door attesting to her contribution to this growing fruit garden. And the garden can still continue to grow! Vleeshal is continuously calling on mothers to participate and will make fruit trees available every year.

Participating mothers receive a booklet as part of the artwork, which beholds inspiration for and information on the project. It contains poetry on the garden, drawings of Rie Cramer and one adventurous story of Dik Trom. A description of fruit-bearing trees that grow well in Zeeland has also been included. The floor plan in the back shows the trees that have been planted.

Not only were trees planted in the gardens of mothers living in Klarenbeek, but you can also fin trees at the Vrije School Zeeland and in the schoolyard of De Dolfijnenburch.

On Mother's Day, Sunday 14 May 2023, the project was given renewed attention. While enjoying something sweet, we unveiled several portraits of participants in De moeders van Klarenbeek, with their children who are now teenagers. Photographer Gunnar Meier portrayed them. Leemeijer talked about the project and her practice and entered into a conversation with Curatorial Assistant Adriënne van der Werf about motherhood in art.