about me
Arwe is the artist name of Richard Westerhuis (born in 1965). Arwe produces conceptual portraits in limited editions. In his work Arwe examines the ambiguity of human identity.
The name Arwe sounds like a question. A question about who we are. How are you? 'I'm doing fine'. We all know this is not a real answer. It is a conditioned response that is socially acceptable. We put on a mask and give socially desirable answers and show socially acceptable behavior. We play different roles and show the behavior be fitting those roles. But where is our true self? Does it even exist? Know yourself, Socrates said. It is the most important task in life.