“I don’t say I gave my life to art.
I prefer to say that the heart gave my life back”
Artist Michèl Poort reached a low point in 2015. Or, as he puts it, ‘he was done with life.’ A chance encounter in the jungle of Bali changed everything. After months of self-reflection, he returned home with only one wish: to make the world beat again. Since then, Michèl has dedicated his art to the heart—expressing his passion through a myriad of colors, materials, and dimensions.
Michèl Poort (1960- ?) was born in Hilversum and studied for several years at Artibus in Utrecht, followed by the Ruud Wacker Academy. Poort works in Utrecht, and his hearts ‘beat’ all over the world.
WHY THE HEART?
Poort: “Self-discovery is an ongoing process of removing what’s unimportant, revisiting our core values, and striving to live in better alignment with these inner truths. What’s important is that everyone can take steps toward greater self-awareness by connecting with their heart, thus removing blockages and opening themselves to connection with others.”
“When we allow our hearts to speak more often and listen more attentively, we become more authentic and much happier. We make choices that align with who we are, which makes us kinder to ourselves and more open to others. The heart holds values, while the head is filled with rules—rules about what you can or can’t be, often disconnected from our true selves and our place in the world, creating barriers to living a fulfilling life. Fear lies beyond our comfort zone and often breeds negative energy.”
“The beautiful thing is that when you have nothing left to lose, as I felt when I went to Bali, new spaces begin to open up. Spaces that you are free to fill in any way you choose. During that time, I simply followed my hands as they shaped the heart. By letting go of everything, nothing becomes impossible. The wonder of it, over and over again. For me, as an artist, the heart is the most beautiful form because within it, anything is possible. I can put everything into it, and what’s remarkable is that people always recognize it, because my hearts are never perfect. Perhaps that’s what makes them ‘beat.”
“I often ask people what their best memories are, and time and again, they mention the simplest things: overcoming personal challenges, the feeling of falling in love, or even a rainy vacation in a too-small tent on Schiermonnikoog. And this is true even for those who are highly successful. Happiness can’t be measured in money—it lies in the special moments we experience. You can see and feel it in people who live from their hearts.”
