Nynke Koster

 

Nynke Koster (The Hague, 1986) is an artist whose practice lies between autonomous art and contemporary design. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague, Koster work reinterprets ornament, transforming historical details into contemporary objects through innovative materials and perspectives. By casting architectural elements into soft, colorful forms, she collapses time and space, inviting viewers to physically and conceptually engage with history in the present.
 

Elements of Time

Her ongoing series "Elements of Time" consists of inverted rubber casts of architectural ornaments, developed in collaboration with moulding specialist Oscar Paanen. These casts preserve every detail of their source, from fine lines to traces of decay, creating colorful stools that are both functional and symbolic. While reproducible, each piece remains intrinsically connected to its place of origin, offering a tangible recontextualization of overlooked architectural elements.
Ambiguous in form and use, the works oscillate between sculpture and furniture. In a gallery they command quiet contemplation, while in domestic settings they invite touch, revealing their unexpected softness and comfort. Expanding globally, "Elements of Time" continues to capture and reinterpret ornamental traditions across cultures.
 
 
Education

• Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK)

 
 
Exhibitions

• Collection in collaboration with Kelly Wearstler
• Mad museum Singapore - Super Future
• Designmuseum Helsinki
• Venice Architecture Biennale
• Commission Haganum Den Haag
• Escher in het Paleis, Den Haag NL
• Salone del Mobile
  
• Commission Gemeente Amersfoort
• Grafische Werkplaats, Den Haag NL
• Museum Jan Cunen