Maarten de Ceulaer is a designer and an artist from Belgium.
The highly expressive, poetic and playful touch Maarten puts in his pieces is what makes his work remarkable. Through his objects he tells stories, evokes emotions, stimulates the imagination, and inspires wonder.
Born in Belgium in 1983, Maarten de Ceulaer studied Interior design at the Sint-Lukas Hogeschool in Brussels. He continued his studies at the Design Academy in Eindhoven, as he was drawn to a conceptual and narrative approach to design. His passion for travelling is what ultimately inspired his graduation project, named ‘A Pile of Suitcases’. The project was instantly picked up by the founder of the renowned Milanese gallery Nilufar, Nina Yashar. This marked the start of a close and ongoing collaboration, as well as a collection which has grown steadily over the years.
Maarten constantly explores new materials, various production methods, as well as crafts. He pays close attention to detail and believes that the emotional aspect of objects is just as important as their functional aspect. He enjoys using materials in unusual ways, and his pieces never cease to surprise.
He has been awarded with the Belgian Young Designer Award in 2007 and The Henry van de Velde Award for Young Talent 2013. In addition to working with Gallery Nilufar, he also works with the Victor Hunt Gallery in Brussels, as well as with brands including CC Tapis, Vibia, Fendi, and Casamania. His works are held in both private and public collections. Maarten’s pieces have been exhibited in museums, festivals, biennials and fairs all over the world.
