Nynke Koster

Nynke Koster is a Dutch artist whose work operates at the intersection of autonomous art and contemporary design. Based in The Hague, she explores the translation of architectural heritage into sculptural objects, focusing on how ornament, material, and history can be reinterpreted within a contemporary context. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Art (KABK), her practice is defined by a strong engagement with architecture as both source and subject.

Central to Koster’s work is the transformation of historical ornamentation. By casting architectural details and recontextualizing them in new materials, she creates objects that collapse distinctions between past and present. Her works retain a direct connection to their origin while functioning as independent, contemporary forms, inviting both physical interaction and conceptual reflection.

Elements of Time

The ongoing Elements of Time series forms a key part of Koster’s practice. In collaboration with moulding specialist Oscar Paanen, she creates inverted rubber casts of architectural ornaments. These casts preserve every detail of the original surface, including traces of wear and decay, while transforming them into soft, colourful objects.

Often presented as stools, the works move between sculpture and functional design. Their material softness contrasts with the solidity typically associated with architecture, creating a shift in perception. Each piece remains tied to its place of origin, carrying a fragment of history into a new context. Through this process, Koster repositions overlooked architectural elements, allowing them to be experienced in a tactile and contemporary way.

Art Nouveau Cupboard

In the Art Nouveau Cupboard, Koster extends her approach into furniture. Inspired by a cast of an Art Nouveau ceiling, the ornament is translated into a series of rubber doors set within a wooden structure. As the cupboard opens, the flexible material folds and unfolds, revealing the motif in a gradual and almost performative manner.

This interaction introduces movement into the object, creating a dialogue between form, function, and time. The piece combines structural elements with decorative reference, transforming a historical fragment into a functional object while maintaining its ornamental identity.

Casting Technique

Koster’s work is grounded in a precise and carefully developed casting process. Using flexible rubber, she captures architectural details without damaging the original surfaces. The material records fine textures and imperfections, preserving the integrity of the source.

While such techniques are traditionally used for restoration, Koster repurposes them as a means of transformation. By shifting the context from preservation to creation, she turns architectural fragments into new objects that emphasize both their historical and material qualities.

Working with Heritage

Across her practice, Koster engages with architecture as a carrier of cultural memory. By translating ornamental details into contemporary forms, she creates works that bridge historical reference and present-day use. Her objects function as intermediaries between different moments in time, offering new ways of experiencing and interpreting architectural heritage.

Through this approach, she highlights the continued relevance of ornament, not as decoration alone, but as a means of storytelling and identity. Her work invites a renewed awareness of the built environment, encouraging a closer engagement with details that often remain unnoticed.