In memoriam - Henk (Hendrik van Putten)

Henk (Hendrik van Putten) of Petite Ferme left his body on February 16th at the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, due to an asthma induced lung complication that flared up after his recent return from Holland. He was 82.

Henk, and his late wife Agnus Gastmans, both accomplished artists, regularly visited Auroville since 2001 and joined in 2004. They settled in Petite Ferme where they created their art. Henk was a well-known designer and sculptor, and worked with various materials such as steel, stone, bronze and wood, which formed the building blocks of his sculptures and multi-dimensional objects. A number of his large structures are found all over Auroville, in the Visitors’ Centre, along the roads, in gardens and other places. Henk was totally dedicated to his work and was a respected artist participating in exhibitions and art fairs across Europe. In 2014 his work ‘Stretching’ won the Liu Kaiqu Excellence Award, Wuhu, China.

Henk’s remains were buried at the Auroville burial grounds on the afternoon of 19 February. A short interview of Henk talking about his work can be found at goo.gl/FwqSvY.