GUEST OF HONOUR

We are proud to welcome Maarten De Ceulaer as this year’s Guest of Honour. Scroll down to discover more about him and his work.

Maarten De Ceulaer (°1983) first studied Interior Design at the Sint-Lukas Hogeschool in Brussels. Attracted by conceptual and artistic design, he continued his studies at the Design Academy Eindhoven.

A strong passion for travelling inspired his graduation project 'A Pile of Suitcases', which was immediately picked up by Nina Yashar, founder of the renowned Milanese gallery Nilufar. 

Maarten is known for the highly evocative, poetic and playful touch he gives his objects. He uses his work to tell stories, to stir people's emotions, to inspire their imagination and to make them wonder.

He continuously explores new materials and investigates in production techniques and crafts. The emotional aspect of objects is equally important as the functional, and he has remarkable attention for detail. He likes to use materials in unconventional ways, and his objects never cease to surprise. 

Maarten De Ceulaer has won several awards, among which the Belgian Young Designer award in 2007 and the Henry Van De Velde award for Young Talent 2013. Besides Gallery Nilufar, he also works with Victor Hunt Gallery in Brussels, and companies such as CC Tapis, Vibia, Budri, Collection Particulière and Fendi. His work is held in private and public collections, and has been exhibited in museums, festivals, biennials and fairs worldwide.