Driving Dutch Design – Sofie Leenen
ONE WEEK ABOUT Driving Dutch Design by curators Patrick Aarts Sen (BNO) and Katja Lucas (DDF)
Driving Dutch Design is the professionalisation and networking programme of Beroepsorganisatie Nederlandse Ontwerpers (BNO), Dutch Design Foundation (DDF) and Stichting Stokroos that helps talented designers get started in the world of entrepreneurship. Over the next few days, we show the Drivers of 2023, Sofie Leenen is one of them.
Designer Sofie Leenen’s mission is to shape traditional crafts for the future. Her projects tell stories about methods of making that are usually invisible or even slowly disappearing. Driven by a deep-seated fascination for handmade objects, she searches for the connection between modern and innovative making processes. This combination of old and new techniques reflects on the knowledge, history and culture within a craft.
The emphasis is on the process where often various trials and samples become a visible part of a project. A sense of rhythms and proportions, simplicity in material and sophistication in technique is evident in each design.
Currently, Leenen is working primarily on her project Braided Weave. Inspired by weaving and braiding techniques brought together into one technique to renew the construction of three-dimensional textiles. Braided Weave consists of an infinite series of textile vases, plates and bowls. Each object in this series is unique due to the composition of material, color and arrangement of the modular molds that influence the shape.
“Driving Dutch Design supports me to reflect on my own studio after 5 years of experience. Back, looking for the essence of my designs and to refresh my dreams for the future.”
For more information about the participants, the programme and registration, visit drivingdutchdesign.nl