the universe of LACH
Art has the power to confront, to awaken, and to spark conversations. My project,
"hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil", explores the fine line between ignorance and deliberate disregard. It is an invitation to reflect on the moral responsibility we bear as individuals and as a society.
This artwork is not merely a visual experience, but a statement. It is a call to break the silence and to acknowledge how the past continues to shape the present.
In front of the statues of Leopold II, we place a glass-etched screen. The etching depicts six hands covering the mouth, eyes, and ears. This universal symbol of hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil here stands not only for censorship, but also for the historical blindness to the atrocities committed under his rule.
The screen is made of rubber glass, a deliberate choice that refers to the exploitation and cruelty linked to the rubber extraction in Congo. This material serves as a silent witness to a past that is all too often silenced.
The hands appear to float at a distance from the statue, emphasising the untouchability of Leopold II. They create a gap between the monarch and the people, a distance that was also felt in history. Only by standing in the right spot can the viewer face the truth. But that choice lies with the viewer: does one choose to see what truly happened, or remain blind to the truth?
This work is neither destruction nor removal, but a subtle addition that strips the monument of its pride. A visual censorship that hides nothing, but rather reveals.
 HEAR NO EVILA pair of hands covering both ears, symbolising the world that did hear about the abuses in Congo, but chose not to listen. |  SEE NO EVILA pair of hands covering the eyes, referring to denial and the act of looking away, even when the truth was undeniable. |  SPEAK NO EVILA pair of hands covering the mouth, as the ultimate metaphor for the imposed silence and the collective complicity in sustaining the system of exploitation. |
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This work invites the viewer to reflect on their own choices in contemporary situations. Do we choose to look away, or do we speak out against injustice?
"Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" is more than a work of art; it is a dialogue, a confrontation, and an invitation to action. It serves as a symbol that urges us to critically reconsider the presence and meaning of all other statues of Leopold II. This work reminds us that we can actively choose not to see these monuments merely as historical objects, but as invitations to reflection and change.
My artistic vision aligns seamlessly with the mission of institutions and organizations committed to raising awareness and providing education about colonial history and its legacy. By supporting this project, you are not only investing in a work of art, but also in a movement that sparks dialogue and inspires change.
“Are you ready to break the silence?”
- LACH DE TEMMERMAN -
Hear no evil, See no evil & Speak no evil
2024
"Close your eyes and the truth disappears.
Close your ears and the lie grows.
Open your mouth and history changes."
- LACH DE TEMMERMAN -