The artist Harmen Brethouwer is a campaigner at heart; he practices a form of pluralist activism. His work is driven by a deep commitment to a connected culture—one that is both profoundly plural and entirely tolerant, echoing the words of Arthur C. Danto.

The main body of Brethouwer’s work is a broad, eclectic inquiry into cultural diversity, shaped by collaboration and the sustained labor of translation across traditions.

In recent years, his vision of the studio and workshop as mutual sites of learning has found its most aspirational expression in his engagement with Japanese lacquer and bell casting.