For over 25 years, Maarten Vrolijk (1966, Oss, The Netherlands) has been one of the internationally successful artist who make do without an extroverted distancing effect in their creative work. The Amsterdam-based artist and designer considers it important to elaborate on the simple, unequivocal nature of a product. His art language is so unusual because it consciously plays with shapes, colors, and materials in an uncontrived way; they should also make people’s everyday lives that bit more beautiful through the many little details that evoke the unexpected. 

 

Many of his works has been collected and exhibited in several renowned international museums, including the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the Museum of Modern Art, New York and the Groninger Museum.

 

Inspiration

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" Even as a child, I was amazed by nature and what they call everyday things — the things that seemed to just pass others by, but which to me became lifelong fascinations. I remember, for instance, the old cherry tree in my parents' garden, which in spring would unfailingly come out in a riot of pink before conjuring up its delightful red fruit. Having seen that show, I asked for a school desk in the same wonderful loud pink for my next birthday. That present remained a testimony to my wonderment at the cherry tree. What grips me is not so much imitation of the "real" world. I am on a quest for the fresh image, the place where fascination becomes something visible and the design gains more worth from adding something to what already exists."  - Maarten Vrolijk.

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