INTRO: Celebrating the Power of Introverts
In a world that rewards loud voices, quiet strength matters. We live in a culture that often rewards extraversion—being outspoken, social, and highly visible. Extraverts are typically seen as confident, charismatic, and persuasive. These qualities are frequently praised in workplaces, classrooms, and social settings.
But what about the quiet ones?
Introverts—those who recharge through solitude, reflect deeply, and speak less but think more—are too often misunderstood. They're labeled as shy, distant, or even boring. Society tends to overlook the quiet power of those who don’t seek the spotlight.
INTRO Is an Ode to the Introvert, a tribute to those who thrive inwardly. As an introvert myself, I’ve often been told I should be more outgoing or assertive. For years, I felt I needed to change to fit the mold. But introversion isn’t a weakness—it’s a different kind of strength.
With INTRO, I want to challenge the idea that louder is better. I want to remind introverts—and everyone—that being quiet is not only okay, it’s powerful.
When we only value extroverted traits, we miss out on the full range of human potential. True progress comes from appreciating all personalities—introverted, extraverted, and everything in between. Our differences are our strength.
Being introverted is not something to fix. It’s something to value.
The Visual Language of INTRO
The imagery and presentation of INTRO are inspired by the introvert’s brain, which functions differently from that of an extrovert. In introverts, brain activity follows a longer, more complex route—focusing on reflection, thought, and the inner world. This leads to a more inward-looking perspective and a lower threshold for external stimuli. Where extroverts seek stimulation, introverts avoid overstimulation and crave calm. This neurological difference isn’t something we can—or should—change.
To reflect this, the visuals in my work are minimalist and black-and-white, with little to no unnecessary stimulus. Small human figures wander through quiet, imaginary landscapes—symbols of introspection and inner experience. Like introverts, these figures don’t immediately stand out, but they are always present. INTRO consists of sculptural photographs, made from bent aluminum dibond. The works invite viewers to move, explore, and shift perspective. You need to come closer and make a small effort to see everything—just as understanding introverts requires presence and attention. Spacing between the pieces creates moments of silence in the gallery. Through variation in height and scale, I encourage viewers to stretch, lean in, or bend down—an active, personal engagement with the work.
INTRO is a quiet challenge to a loud world. It asks you to slow down, look deeper, and reflect.
Graduation presentation January 2023 - St Joost Breda
