Kiki van Eijk

Biography

Kiki van Eijk (b. 1978, The Netherlands)  is a designer whose work is characterized by a poetic and highly personal approach to material, form, and storytelling. During her studies, she met the designer Joost van Bleiswijk, with whom she continues to collaborate on selected projects.

 

Her’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
  • Van Abbe Museum, Eindhoven NL
  • Rijksmuseum Muiderslot, Muiden NL
  • Centraal Museum, Utrecht NL
  • Museum Boijmans van Beuningen , Rotterdam NL
  • Wolfsonian Museum, Miami Beach USA
  • Textile Museum, Tilburg NL
  • Cube Designmuseum, Kerkrade NL
  • Museum Tiendschuur, NL
  • Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein DE 
  • Het Noordbrabants Museum, Den Bosch NL
  • National Centre for Visual Arts (CNAP), Paris FR
  • Zuiderzee Museum, Enkhuizen NL
  • The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal CA

 

 

Works
Art Fairs
Press