I am Parel Strik an encounter artist, living and working in Rotterdam. My artistic practice delves into the transformative power of encounters and dialogues in public spaces, with a focus in fostering connections and exploring themes of hospitality, self-care, and sustainability.
My work experiences include roles such as being the director of South Explorer, an organization that celebrates and connects art and artists in Rotterdam Zuid. Parallel to that I am the community manager of the Rotterdamse Vrijheidsmaaltijden, where I orchestrate events that facilitate conversations about (un)freedom.
Within my art practice, I create conceptual dinners and public events that bring people together. I work as a maker, host and social programmer, developing projects such as the monthly Soup-port at Dokhuis and Taxi Travis, a taxi service by and for neighbours.
In 2024, I earned my Master’s degree in Fine Art from HKU with the project 'How to Care - Do You Care?'. During my bachelor's studies at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam in 2022, I investigated the “Ingredients of an Encounter” through Transformation Design.
My workspace goes beyond the traditional studio, extending into the public where I facilitate experiences that bring people together. I believe that meeting at the dinner table is a powerful way to connect, share stories, and nurture relationships.
Through my art, I aim to cultivate not only connections but also a deeper understanding of the care we extend to others, which is intrinsically linked to the care we offer ourselves.
Exhibitions/Experiences
Current/ Upcoming
Community Manager for the NOISELab in collaboration with TU Delft, Gemeente Rotterdam en Erasmus MC.
Wijkverbinder for the local neighbourhood festival Weergaloos Charlois 25-27 Sept. 2026
Recipe Book launch for Soup-port at Dokhuis 22 Oktober + The monthly Soup-port 2026/2027
Kruisbestuiving dinner - Week vol Herinnering for Cultuur Concreet - 1 Nov. 2026
South Explorer Invites - showcase for artists in Rotterdam Zuid - Klimaatweek - 2 till 8 Nov. 2026
Taxi Travis - in collaborating with Merit Zimmermann and Rib as part of 'Het Zuid Manifest - I Love Carola' - May 2027.
2026
South Explorer Invites - showcase for artists in Rotterdam Zuid -27 March in Fenix
Artist talk as part of the program of Rotterdam Art Week in WORM - 28 March
Taxi Travis - in collaborating with Merit Zimmermann and Rib as part of 'Het Zuid Manifest -I Love Carola'
- shown during Rotterdam Art Week - March 2026. Featured on Metropolis Magazine
Soupport - the neighbourhood dinner with questions - once a month at Dokhuis
Social designer for the neighbourhood council of Oud-Charlois and Wielewaal (yearround)
2025
Rouwstoet - Week vol Herinnering for Cultuur Concreet - 1 Nov.
Crossing Tables- Foraging the city at Fenix Migration Museum - 18 Sept.
Buurt Brunch as part of Weergaloos Charlois - 28 Sept.
Solo exhibition at 'Dingen die niet verkopen' as part of NOMNOMNOM - March
Rotterdam icon project launch - June
Featured on: Tv Rijnmond, Trouw, de Havenloods. and Radio Funx
Taxi Travis - in collaborating with Merit Zimmermann and Rib as part of 'Het Zuid Manifest -I Love Carlos'
- shown during Rotterdam Art Week and South Explorer - March 2025. Featured on Stadskrant Rotterdam
'How to Care - Do you Care?' - shown at the conference 'Care, Aesthetics and Repair'
curated by Marieke Folkers as part of Meaningful Artistic Research. Featured on UVH
2024
'Stadsdiner' In assignment of the Municipality of Rotterdam as part of Placemaking Week Europe.
Guest-curator for the month of July at Paviljoen ...aan het Water
'How to Care - Do you care? - at BAK- basis voor actuele kunst
As part of the Graduation show Master Fine Art HKU show (Dis)-comfort Narratives: moving with the feeling
and on show at Casco Art Institute - Hidden Arts: What do we make when no one sees us
2023
'Where do we ant?' a three day workshop with the first and second year bachelors fine art of HKU
Home-made dinner with Julija Mockuté - Dinner Session - Grey Space in the Middle
"Schouw me aan" Art Rotterdam x Aanschouw
2022
'Urban Cannibalism' - Live radioshow with Expodium on Stranded.FM
Making a (fruit) salad - Lab days/ Open day at HKU Master Fine Art
Hunger Walk - a score for a collective walk in Werkspoorkwartier (Utrecht) - Expodium
Graduation show 2022 - Willem de Kooning Academy
2021
Group show - Creating connections and rethinking surroundings - De Wasserij
Textiel Bienale (Food for thought') - 'Diner van de Maatschappij' - Museum Rijswijk
Graduation party 'Making a salad' - Willem de Kooning Academy
Publieke Werken Rotterdam
'Food/Eten' - Simulacrum Magazine Vol. 29, no. 4
Future Intel
Film festival Rencontres Internationales Berlin/Paris New Cinema and contemporary art
2020 ____
Museumnacht Rotterdam -'Where do you sit?' - Het Nieuwe Instituut
2019
Grondstoffen - with Jennifer de Jonge - Museum het Warenhuis
2018
Fingerlicking Good - Dutch Design Week
2017
Workshop Make cutlery (with Steinbeisser) - Gerrit Rietveld Academy
Lecture 'Introducing Food design' (with Creative Chef and de Culinaire Werkplaats)- Gerrit Rietveld Academy