Did you know that 40% of homeless youth in New York City are LGBTQIA+?

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

"When I came out, I went from middle class rich kid to bum on the streets."

Ernst Coppejans Presents

The Virtual Exhibition

from the streets to the heart

  • Institut Neerlandais
  • afk
  • blauwe fonds
  • coc
  • Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
  • Dutch Culture
  • stadsarchief
  • Helsinki
  • cultuurfonds
  • the guardian
  • Cite universitaire
  • International slavery museum
  • Cortona
  • fonds kwadraat
  • nederlandse ambassade
  • photoville
  • mondriaan fonds
  • jan cunen
  • open mind
  • parool
  • rijks museum
  • minbuza
  • Valencia
  • volkskrant
  • zilveren camera
  • twente
  • Vanity Fair
  • museum hilversum
  • lensculture
  • de morgen
  • LINDA
  • gemeente amsterdam

See Their Humanity. Feel Their Struggle. Share Their Hope.

When was the last time you truly saw someone living on the streets? Not just glanced, but felt their story resonate within you?

For three years, I’ve roamed New York City, drawn to the shadows where 30 remarkable LGBTQIA+ individuals share their lives. My project, “from the streets to the heart,” seeks to unveil their often-overlooked stories.

Imagine feeling unheard and unseen, your existence overshadowed by the world. This exhibition honors their strength and resilience, challenging us to confront the perceptions that keep them hidden. By showcasing their true selves, we weave a tapestry of connection, inspiring change and understanding.

In seeing them, we might just discover a part of ourselves we’ve long forgotten.

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

“I want to explore what it's like to be a gay male that's not homeless, having a boyfriend, having someone to love me." 

Why I Created This

In New York’s West Village33,000 people walked through this exhibition. They stopped. They stared. They cried. A mother came every day, whispering stories to her children, each face becoming someone familiar. People from all walks of life felt an unexpected tug—a reminder of how fragile we all are. That’s why I’m here, bringing their stories online, to cross oceans, to reach hearts, to remind each of us that when we look at others, we’re also searching for ourselves.

WHY YOU SHOULDN'T MISS THIS

♥︎  FIND COMPASSION IN UNLIKELY PLACES

Real people, raw stories. This exhibition will shake the walls around your heart.

☻ EVERY TICKET HELPS, EVERY STORY MATTERS

Your ticket does more than give you entry. It builds awareness, offering LGBTQIA+ homeless youth a path to hope.

★ COURAGE AMIDST CHAOS

See what strength looks like, turned not into stone but resilience.

☀︎  STEP INTO ANOTHER LIFE, EVEN FOR A MOMENT

Challenge your perspective. Change a life. Walk away seeing more than just faces.

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Virtual Exhibition

Virtual Exhibition

Regular price €14,00 EUR
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Why There’s a Price

Support for a Cause:

Your ticket isn’t just an entry—it’s an investment in a world where compassion fuels action. Each purchase supports LGBTQIA+ organizations like New Alternatives, where courage finds refuge and love builds strength. This isn’t just a virtual show; it’s a testament to lives lived loudly in the silence.

Personal Commitment

After years of hard work and personal commitment, this exhibition showcases the fruits of over three years of effort. I made several trips from Amsterdam to New York, dedicating my time, resources, and energy to meet, connect with, and photograph 30 remarkable individuals. This project was entirely self-funded because I truly value these stories, and the exhibition fee contributes to covering a small portion of those costs.

Quality Content

Over the years, I have dedicated myself to perfecting my skills and establishing a name for producing art that is both impactful and socially aware, resonating with wide audiences. The fee contributes to maintaining the quality and expertise of the exhibition, offering you an engaging, top-notch experience that has been carefully designed.

The Value of Art

Just like attending a physical exhibition or theater, paying for a virtual exhibition acknowledges the immense work behind it. It supports the artist, the message, and the movement it represents. Art has the power to inspire change, and your support helps to keep these conversations going and makes it possible to continue sharing these important narratives.

Sustainable Operations:

Running a virtual exhibition comes with expenses like platform fees, marketing, and technical support. Ticket sales help pay for these costs, allowing the exhibition to be sustained and enhanced.

What Awaits You

Step into this virtual gallery, where30 voices reach out from the shadows, breaking through thenoise of indifference. Eachstory, each face, each wordis a reminder: that within every life, there’s anocean waiting to be understood. You’llhear their voices,see their worlds,feel the depth of their humanity, and maybe—just maybe—find a part of yourselfreflected back.

Thisvirtual experienceisdifferent from traditional exhibitionsbecause it can beaccessed by anyone, no matter where they are. Itbreaks down geographical barriersand lets aworldwide audience connect with important stories.

Visitors can take their time exploring the exhibition, going back to the pieces and stories that speak to them, which helps them connect more personally with the art.

Answer

about the artist

As an artist and photographer, my experiences growing up as a gay child in a small southern town in the Netherlands shape my work. I faced bullying and isolation, but relocating to Amsterdam at 19 allowed me to live my authentic life.This journey inspired me to focus on the stories of marginalized groups. My photography aims to reveal the strength and beauty of those often ignored, encouraging important discussions about their lives. Each image reflects their resilience and diversity, challenging stereotypes and promoting positive change. My dedication to genuine storytelling inspires me to transform narratives on key social issues, creating understanding and connection through powerful visuals.

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