Jos van Riemsdijk Girl with cat (1966)

In 1966, this statue made by Jos van Riemsdijk was placed on the schoolyard of the former primary school De Vonk. It is a sweet bronze statue of a girl with a cat. The girl is leaning back and holds the cat in her arms, cuddling. Her legs are stretched out and lie on a stone support, her right foot crossed over the left. Girl with cat is a modest and graceful sculpture, characteristic of Van Riemsdijk's style. Her human figures are characteristic of the 1960s feeling of a person in his environment and how he relates to the world. The work radiates energy that fits with the optimism and sense of progress of the reconstruction, as if the artist wanted to convey a message to the students. In 2024, the school was demolished and during the redevelopment of the schoolyard, they did not want to put the statue back. The statue was stored by BKOR. For many residents, the sculpture had an emotional value, especially for Chris, a local resident who attended De Vonk as a child. Together with other concerned residents, they went in search of the statue and came into contact with BKOR via the area networker. The residents started a residents' initiative and together with Urban Development and construction company W. le Comte, a plan was made for relocation in the neighborhood. The neighborhood networker and the neighborhood council also helped realize the residents' wish. On Thursday afternoon, May 22, 2025, Girl with cat festively unveiled at its new location at the Hollands Tuin. A valuable statue for the neighbourhood is now back in its place, where the residents lovingly care for 'their girl'. They have made a big heart around her and clean her every week.