Art That Enhances It's Surrounding Space

About the Designer:

For me it is always a challenge to find and maintain the balance between creating something poetic and something commercial. I was educated as an artist and graduated the art academy Minerva in Groningen on art in 1988.

My designs are used all over the world as well in private homes as in projects, such as office domains, hotels, designed by well known architects and interior architects and for museums in special design exhibitions.

My inspiration comes from comes from various fields, because of my broad interests There are many; from business people to artists, writers, musicians etc.

Imagery, scenes and stories I want to relate to in my designs. However, my focus is on Contemporary Art, modern Architecture, nature and the things I am surrounded with in my daily life, which can be very surprising.

Nevertheless, I keep my work personal instead of conforming it to a large audience. For instance, for awhile I used printed text in my designs. This idea was propelled by the observation that text in designs was ironically primarily for decoration. Instead, I used text as a invitation for users to communicate, sometimes quite literally; one of the products was a set of pillowcases with “yes” printed on one side and “no” on the other. In my recent work, I use images as my language instead of text - the communication is at another level. The design of the lampshades with a print inside started out with the print of a forest and a non-transparent shade outside. This way the user can take a moment to relax and drift away by enjoying the inside. After the initial idea is established, I search for the form and material. Although producing a series of products, it is important that the design is eye-catching. Not only is the quality of the object vital, but I also want it to be a special design that enhances the surrounding space.
When I think about interior products in the future, I think about how globalization influences the shop collections, the buying habits of the audience, and the interiors. Everything looks the same. But there will always be those who want to express their individuality and search for inimitable, unique products. The concept of my brand I design products with a twist, I do not mean funny or like a gadget, but with an ambiguity. Therefore, mostly what you see is not what it is; often there is a hidden meaning behind it. My designs are related to my education as an artist, to my way of seeing and comprehending things.
If I had not become a designer I would have been an architect. I have always been fascinated by architecture that has a symbiotic relation with its surroundings and its users. Specially when nature and contemporary architecture are combined in a good balance.