Sien Hoogendoorn

In a world that is changing ever more rapidly, a flexible mind is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Around me, I see a growing desire for clarity, control, and productivity. Everything must have a purpose, a label, a clearly defined meaning. But what if we allow things to simply exist? What if we make room for the unexpected, for not knowing? Through my work, I remain curious without feeling the need to understand or control everything. 

I see the world as a collection of compositions that cannot be fully grasped at a single glance or captured in words. A glimpse through an opening, a shadow, a new perspective. These elements inspire and encourage me to look at my surroundings differently. I see this way of looking as play, a mindset in which you recognize possibilities and approach the world with an open perspective. 

Play is a central theme in my work. It is a complex concept that cannot be confined to a single definition; it embraces a wide variety of forms and expressions, which is precisely why it continues to surprise. For me, play is not a physical activity but an attitude. It is about how you look and how you engage with the world through an open mind. Through play, I find the freedom to follow my curiosity, to explore, and to create without a predetermined goal. 

My creative process often begins with two-dimensional compositions. I experiment intuitively with leftover materials, cutouts, graphic elements, numbers, and basic shapes. During the making process, I can let go of what is familiar and discover potential in materials whose meaning has not yet been defined. Shapes and colors come together in a composition, resulting in a work that leaves room for personal interpretation. A design that can evolve into a spatial intervention or take shape as a functional object.

 The period room is my graduation project and an artistic exploration of how, through form, time, and space, we can relate to our surroundings in a different way. It is a plea for an open perspective. The space, forms, and objects invite play, objects whose meanings and functions are not fixed, encouraging visitors to explore their possibilities. A clock that does not tell time, a side table with multiple functions, and a stool. It’s all in how you look at it. 

With my design, I invite everyone to reflect on their own relationship with the world. How do you make things your own? How do you create meaning? For me, play is not child’s play, but a way of remaining open to the unexpected. 

sienhoogendoorn@hotmail.com