Sebastiaan Straatsma, born in 1972 in Dokkum, the Netherlands, is a versatile artist, product and interior designer. After studying at the Design Academy in Eindhoven, he settled in Rotterdam in 2000, where he founded his own workspace, Straatsma Studio.
Straatsma is known for his fascination with archetypes and objects with historical, nostalgic or emotional value. He investigates the stories that these objects carry with them and the traces of time that they show. This interest has led to a growing series of handmade and unique interior pieces, including vases, bowls, lamps and sculptural objects.
In his artistic practice, Straatsma plays with the interplay between form, context, function and non-function. He is intrigued by archetypal and classical ceramic vases from various cultures, such as the Far East and old Europe. By challenging traditional functions, materiality and historical contexts, he reinterprets these vases as contemporary expressions. His works serve both as functional objects and as canvases for modern interpretations, with symbolic motifs and representations of our time.
A characteristic aspect of his work is the use of resin, which offers him unparalleled freedom and directness in expressing three-dimensional concepts. This technique allows him to experiment with open forms, diverse textures and layered compositions, resulting in surfaces that are thick and tactile, almost raw in nature.
In addition to his artistic work, Straatsma is also active in education. He is a lecturer in Media & Materials at the Bachelor's program Interior Architecture and Furniture Design at the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague.
Straatsma's work is included in various museum and private collections in Europe, Asia and North America. His unique approach to design and art, combined with his technical skill and conceptual depth, make him a remarkable figure in the contemporary art and design world.
