Objects
My artistic practice revolves around exploring the interplay of form, context, function, and non-function. I am deeply intrigued by archetypes and objects imbued with historical, nostalgic, or emotional significance, as well as the narratives they encapsulate, reflecting the passage of time.
This fascination has culminated in an ongoing series of unique, handmade sculpture objects crafted from resin. By manipulating volume and form while retaining an open skin, I aim to evoke a sense of recognition tinged with ambiguity. Through this process, seemingly clear and familiar objects acquire new layers of meaning, captivating me with their inherent complexity.
In particular, I find inspiration in the archetypical and classical ceramic vases, originating from diverse cultures such as the Far East and ancient Europe. Challenging their traditional function, materiality, and historical context, I reinterpret these vessels as contemporary expressions. Much like their predecessors, my works serve as both functional objects and canvases for modern interpretations, featuring symbolic motifs and representations of our era.
Working with resin grants me unparalleled freedom and immediacy in expressing three-dimensional concepts. It enables me to experiment with open forms, diverse textures, and layered compositions, resulting in surfaces that are thick and tactile, almost raw in their appearance.
Developing a distinctive resin technique has been integral to my practice. Each creation follows a meticulous process, from conceptualization and sketching to moldmaking, color blending, and sculpting. This method allows for endless permutations in construction and structure, all unified within a singular material.
My artwork has garnered recognition and is showcased in numerous museum and private collections across Europe, Asia, and North America. I was born and raised in Dokkum, a town in the northern part of The Netherlands. After studying at The Design Academy in Eindhoven, I have been based in Rotterdam since 2000, where I operate from my workspace Straatsma studio.
Solo Exhibitions
2019 Spel van Verwijzing / Contour Gallery – Rotterdam
2017 Straatsma / Galerie Alain Daudet – Toulouse, France
2015 Contemporary Art Fair / van Oosterom Fine Arts & Interiors / Cruise Terminal Rotterdam
2011 Mutated / galleria Luisa Delle Piane – Milan, Italy
2011 The right touch / Themes & Variations – London, United Kingdom
2010 Dai Kaiju / Toolsgalerie Paris – Paris, France
2009 Shared Space II / TENT & Witte de With – Rotterdam
2003 New / Vivid Gallery – Rotterdam
2003 Random Industry Upgrade / Salone del Mobile – Milan, Italy
Group Exhibitions
2024 Axel Pairon gallery – Knokke-Het Zoute, Belgium
2024 Ted Noten & Co / Museum Jan – Amstelveen
2023 Dutch Design Week / Woensel Backyard S – Eindhoven
2023 Collectible Design / Post Modern Collection / Vanderborght Building – Brussels, Belgium
2022 Artweek Rotterdam / Steurgebouw – Rotterdam
2022 Art Rotterdam / Post Modern Collection / Van Nellefabriek – Rotterdam
2022 KunstRAI Art Fair / Post Modern Collection / RAI Amsterdam – Amsterdam
2020 Object Rotterdam / Contour gallery / HAKA building – Rotterdam
2020 No Walls / SKB Galerie / Loods 6 – Amsterdam
2020 Nomad / Galleria Luisa Delle Piane / St Moritz – St Moritz, Switzerland
2019 Nomad / Galleria Luisa Delle Piane / Venice – Venice, Italy
2019 Respekt/Spektakel / Museum Het Grachtenhuis – Amsterdam
2019 KunstRAI Art Fair / Contour gallery / KunstRai – Amsterdam
2019 zomerexpo / Museum de Fundatie – Zwolle
2019 Manic Patterns / Cokkie Snoei gallery – Rotterdam
2018 Open expo, vruchtbare grond / Stedelijk Museum Schiedam – Schiedam
2018 Homo Faber ‘Crafting a more human future’ / Foundazione Giorgio Cini – Venice, Italy
2017 Art Paris Art Fair / Galerie Rabouan Moussion / Grand Palais – Paris, France
2016 Masterly The Dutch in Milano / Palazzo Francesco Turati – Milan, Italy
2015 In scene gezet / Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen – Rotterdam
2015 Design Derby / Design museum Gent – Gent, Belgium
2014 Gelinkt/Linked / Design museum Gent – Gent, Belgium
2013 Handmade / Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen – Rotterdam
2012 PAD Art & Design / Toolsgalerie / Jardin des Tuileries – Paris, France
2012 House of Orange / Schloss Oranienbaum – Worlitz, Germany
2012 PAN Art Fair / Gallery Pien Rademakers / RAI Amsterdam
2010 Norm=Vorm / Gemeente Museum Den Haag – Den Haag
2010 Small Show Huge Talent / Sotheby’s, Kiddell Gallery – London, United Kingdom
2008 LOVE, DESIGN DELIRIUM / Kunstraum Niederösterreich – Wien, Austria
2008 Lace and interlacing in Designing / Musée des Manufactures de dentelles – Retournac, France
2008 FIAC / Toolsgalerie / Grand Palais & Louvre – Paris, France
2007 Décor Schiedam / Stedelijk Museum Schiedam
2007 Exota / Kunsthal Rotterdam – Rotterdam
2006 Dutch design too / Ambiente Art Fair – Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2004 Brilliant / Victoria and Albert Museum – London, United Kingdom
1999 Rotterdam Design Prize / Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen – Rotterdam
1998 DO NORMAL, recent Dutch Design / SF MOMA – San Francisco, United States
Prizes
2011 Dutch Design Award Eindhoven – Nominated- Eindhoven
2003 Material Prize – Nominated- Rotterdam
1999 Design Prize Rotterdam – Nominated- Rotterdam
1997 Hema Design Competition – Nominated- Amsterdam
Permanent collections
2013 Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen – Rotterdam
2013 Gemeente Museum Den Haag – Miniature Museum Ria & Lex Daniels
2008 Stedelijk Museum Schiedam
1999 Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen – Rotterdam
Various private collections
The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, UK, Turkey, Japan, USA, Canada
Publications (selection)
2023 Museum Jan / Ted Noten & co / Waanders uitgevers
2023 Page magazine / book review
2022 Materials Encyclopedia for Creatives / Birkhauser / Élodie Ternaux
2022 Museum Boijmans van Beuningen- Voortschrijdend inzicht / Mienke Simon Thomas
2021 Elle Decoration / House of Fun
2021 De Volkskrant / Sarah van Binsbergen- Zes opvallende objecten
2015 IDEAT / Virginie Seguin- Un rendez-vous particulier
2014 Terrific Design book / Cristina Morozzi
2013 Arttube / Makers vaas video
2011 Dutch Design Yearbook / NAI Publishers
2011 Collect / Stof tot nadenken / Iris de Ruiter
2011 VOGUE Casa / Marta Lavina Carboni- Le scelte di casa
2007 Simply Material book / Victor Cheung
2004 The International Design Yearbook / Tom Dixon