My practice explores the relationship between structure and surface, between function and form, and the way in which we relate to our material and environment. I work with found materials sourced, for example, from the street, from local bins, via Marktplaats or from old industrial stocks.
I consider collecting not merely as preparation but as an essential part of the work itself; a sculptural gesture. I am interested in the informal, local systems that arise around reuse, salvaging, deconstruction and exchange.
Whereas I previously worked through control, finishing and a strongly form-oriented process as a means of exploring the relationship between form and function, my working method has now become much more process-driven. Cutting out EPS, applying resin and high-gloss varnish has given way to building from the inside out, allowing forms to emerge through assembly, improvisation and responding to material and context. Making becomes a playfull process, involving the materials, the location and the circumstances in which the work comes into being.
A recurring motif in my work is that of the turtle. Not as an animal that lives inside a shell, but as an animal that is its shell. This metaphor helps me to reflect on the interconnection between the inside and the outside, between body and structure, and between humanity and nature. What kind of structure supports a form? How does the outside respond to the inside? These are for me sculptural questions, but also social ones.
I see my sculptures not only as objects but as carriers of experience. They embody the serendipity of the find, the journey of collecting, the place of origin and the material’s previous life. Can a form reflect that social history? Can it bear traces of movement and encounters?
I regard sculpture as a situation of relationships between materials, places, people and processes.
CV
Education
MFA Piet Zwart Instituut, Rotterdam
2024-2026
Willem de Kooning Academy Rotterdam
2010 – 2012, Fine Arts BA With Honours
Willem de Kooning Academy Rotterdam
2008 – 2009, Digital PhotographyExhibitions
Piet Zwart Institute Master of Fine Arts presents: Leisure Management--a graduation show
with Szilvia Bolla, Giulia Crivellaro, Joao de Costra, Erin Donnelly, Sam Janssen, Chryso Amaya Michailidis, Ambrose O'Meagher, Raziel Perin, Noah van de Wetering, TENT Rotterdam – 2026
EXO
with Amrith de Zoete and Twan Lugten, curated by Tiiu Alley Space, Rotterdam – 2026
Old en New
with Joep Brouwer, Pip Passchier, Willem Roekaers, Thomas Birsak, Thom van Rijckevorsel, De Sportkantine, Rotterdam – 2026
Hold Your Horses
with Piet Zwart Institute, A Tale Of A Tub, Rotterdam – 2025
Crocodile leather shoes
with Noah van de Wetering, Esmée Bruins, Ambrose O'Meagher, The Crooked Studio, Rotterdam – 2025
Appreciation
with all alumni from the program, part of Rotterdam Art Weekend, Piet Zwart Institute Rotterdam – 2025
Old en New
with Joep Brouwer and Pip Passchier, Studio Klein Midden Bedrijf – 2024
Al Dente
with Joost Vermeer, Jelmer Konjo, Dagmar Pouwelse, Yara Veloso, Lana Mesić, Part of Rotterdam Art Weekend – 2024
Op Doek&Staal
with Peter Geerts and Bart Koldewee, Oyfo Kunstpodium, Hengelo – 2023
When Joy Prevails
with Marian Genet, Johnny Mae Hauser and Jildau Nijboer, Galerie Helder, The Hague – 2023
Spotlight
Kunstuitleen, Rotterdam – 2023
This Art Fair
Duo Booth together with Amrith de Zoete, Amsterdam – 2022
The Simple Life
With Bas van Sommeren, Jelmer Konjo, Nazif Lopulissa, Boy van der Wal, Maurice Gobert, Joost Vermeer en Amrith de Zoete, Hilton Art Lab, Rotterdam – 2021
Tot Hier en Weer Verder
Residency and group exhibition curated by Selma Hengeveld, Rotterdam – 2020
RORO Buiten
With Seb Agresti, RORO Buiten, Rotterdam – 2019
Host
With Lennart de Neef, produced by RORO Buiten, Kunstfort bij Vijfhuizen, Vijfhuizen – 2018
Art Rotterdam
Volume : Volume IV as part of Art Collective VOLUME together with Thijs Jaeger, Ricardo van Eijk, Joeri Woudstra and Lennart de Neef, Roodkapje, Rotterdam – 2017
Volume : Volume III
As VOLUME, S/ASH GA||ERY, Roodkapje, Rotterdam – 2016
Volume : Volume III
As VOLUME, Stellwerk, Kassel – 2016
Hoe Rotter Ut Wordt
With Will van Twuijver, CBK, Dordrecht – 2015
"Follow me, follow me, follow me, follow me, but don't lose your grip"
With Megan Snowe, Beyonce, Amsterdam – 2014
Less is More, More or Less
As The Force Of Freedom (duo with Roel Roscam Abbing), Tent, Rotterdam – 2013
419 Scam
Presentation as The Force Of Freedom, Showroom MAMA, Rotterdam – 2013
The Force Of Freedom + friends + friends
As The Force Of Freedom, Kunstvlaai, Amsterdam – 2013
M.A.L.E
As The Force Of Freedom, Semmer Galerie, Berlin – 2013
Telewar
Publication as The Force Of Freedom, Upominki, Rotterdam – 2013
Straight Outta Tumblr
As The Force Of Freedom, W139, Amsterdam – 2012
Leerling/Meester
With Ahmet Ogut as The Force Of Freedom, Kunstpodium T, Tilburg – 2012
Open Drugs
Ignite #14 presentation as The Force Of Freedom, Mediamatic, Amsterdam – 2012
Another Day Another Show
As The Force Of Freedom, Duende Studio's, Rotterdam – 2012Teaching
De Hef College
Rotterdam (2020 - now)
Guest Tutor / Workshops
Tale of a Tub, Rotterdam, NL – 2026Willem de Kooning Academie, Rotterdam, NL – 2022
Honours