The Book of Common Ground transforms political polarisation into an imaginative, illustrated narrative.
Clemens den Exter Illustrates a Fairytale for a Divided Europe
Dutch illustrator Clemens den Exter, now based in New York, has a portfolio that includes commissions for Sesame Street, Snapchat, and NPR Podcasts, among others. He was a speaker at the 2021 Illustration Biennale and was interviewed by Jellie Brouwer on Radio Kunststof.
He has now transformed one of Europe’s most urgent challenges into a modern fairytale. The Book of Common Ground: Fairytales for a Polarized World uses rich, atmospheric illustrations to lead readers into an imaginative space where divides can be bridged.
Developed by the Evens Foundation and AWE Studio, the project began with an intergenerational workshop ahead of the 2024 EU elections. Participants explored how stories could spark meaningful dialogue on difficult issues. Drawing on Re-Imagine, Europa’s R.E.F.R.A.M.E methodology, which uses psychology and semiotics to move people beyond entrenched positions, the result is an unconventional book that swaps political rhetoric for visual storytelling.
“The internet constantly exposes us to polarised political views, and social media often amplifies the most divisive messages. While I’m unsure of the exact role art and design can play in this climate, I believe there’s far more that unites us than divides us. Through design and art, I hope we can highlight the common ground we all share.” Clemens den Exter
The hardback edition was launched on Thursday 28 August 2025 at Blik in The Hague, during Creative Responses to Polarisation in Europe, a public evening featuring conversations, networking, and the first chance to purchase the new edition.
Discover the digital edition and more about the characters and the development of the book at bookofcommonground.com.
