12/06/2026
Last year I visited Haarlem to learn more about Hannie Schaft, Truus Oversteegen and Freddie Oversteegen, as well as walk in their footsteps across various locations. We specialise in femme models, but the resistance project has introduced some men that it feels rude to miss out.
While we can't make everyone (the caveat I say a lot!) I can do my best! We've always been about covering what other people tend not to, and various men have popped up in the stories that you know what - come on in! So the next project isn't "Women of the Dutch Resistance", it's "Heroes of the Dutch Resistance". I don't often talk too much about who is coming up but I am currently finalising the sculptor brief for Jan Bonekamp and wanted to tell you about him.
Jan, also known as "Little Jan" was part of the same resistance group as Hannie Schaft. From early in the occupation, Jan worked against the fascists by distributing flyers, posters, fundraising and eventually calling on colleagues to join the February strike of 1941. In a similar route as many, including his best friend Hannie, Jan's actions escalated to more direct and dangerous actions such as the railway sabotage and infamous "liquidations".
It was one of these liquidations that cost him his life, while working with Hannie. She was devastated after his death, and among other praise words called him "the nicest guy I've ever met". And because I am a sap, I'm making a 28mm Little Jan to hang out with his mates.
