Kiki van Eijk

 Picture: Denise Zwijnen

Kiki van Eijk is a Dutch designer whose work is characterized by a poetic and highly personal approach to material, form, and storytelling. Born in Tegelen, the Netherlands, in 1978, she graduated cum laude from the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2000. During her studies, she met designer Joost van Bleiswijk, with whom she continues to collaborate on selected projects.

Van Eijk’s practice is rooted in a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and the expressive potential of materials. Her work spans a wide range of disciplines, including textiles, furniture, lighting, ceramics, and glass, often merging functional design with a strong narrative dimension. Drawing inspiration from everyday objects, nature, and domestic environments, she transforms familiar elements into imaginative and layered compositions.

Central to her work is an attention to detail and a sensitivity to texture, colour, and material. Her designs often evoke a sense of nostalgia while remaining distinctly contemporary, balancing ornamentation with clarity of form. Through this approach, van Eijk creates objects that feel both intimate and expressive, inviting close observation and emotional engagement.

Textile plays a significant role within her practice. Many of her works are developed in close collaboration with the TextielLab at the TextielMuseum in Tilburg, where advanced techniques and traditional craftsmanship converge. This ongoing engagement with textile production reflects her broader interest in process, material research, and the translation of ideas into tangible form.

Van Eijk’s work operates at the intersection of art and design, where functionality and storytelling coexist. Her objects often carry a narrative quality, suggesting moments, memories, or atmospheres, while maintaining a clear presence as designed objects. This balance allows her work to move fluidly between disciplines, resisting fixed categorization.

Her work has been presented internationally in museums, galleries, and design fairs. In addition to her independent practice, she has collaborated with a range of international brands and institutions, extending the reach of her work across both cultural and commercial contexts.

Education

• Design Academy Eindhoven, Bachelor of Design, graduated cum laude (2000)

Collections

Works by Kiki van Eijk are held in:

• Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
• Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam
• Victoria and Albert Museum, London
• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York
• Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, New York
• Zuiderzee Museum, Enkhuizen
• TextielMuseum, Tilburg
• Rijksmuseum Muiderslot, Muiden