Maarten De Ceulaer (1983) began his education at the Sint-Lukas Hogeschool in Brussels. Drawn to conceptual design, he continued his studies at the Design Academy Eindhoven. His passion for travel was the inspiration behind A Pile Of Suitcases, his graduation project, which was immediately noticed by Nina Yashar, the owner of the renowned Milanese Nilufar Gallery, who invited him to design a collection around this theme. Maarten is known for the highly evocative, poetic and playful touch he brings to his objects. He uses his work to tell stories, evoke emotions, spark imagination and invite people to dream. He constantly explores new materials, production techniques and crafts.

For him, the emotional aspect of an object is just as important as its function, and he has a sharp eye for detail. Materials are often used in unconventional ways, and the end result always manages to surprise. Maarten has won several awards, including the Belgian Young Designer Award in 2007 and the Henry Van de Velde Award for Young Talent in 2013. He collaborates with leading galleries such as Nilufar and Galerie du Passage, and with companies including Cc-Tapis, Modular, Budri and Fendi. His work has found its way into private and museum collections, and has been exhibited in museums, festivals, biennales and fairs worldwide. maartendeceulaer.com