Art Hotel Curaçao

At the end of 2023, I received a major commission: to create artworks for all 30 rooms of the soon-to-be-built Art Hotel. I was selected for this project by the renowned Dutch architect Piet Boon. The sea has always been a major source of inspiration in my work, which aligns perfectly with the vibe of this boutique hotel, located right on the coast.

Given the scale and timeline of the project, I knew I had to work smart. I designed two series in such a way that I could use molds, allowing me to occasionally get help from colleagues and former students.

My inspiration for the Tunicate series came from the invertebrate sea creature tunicate, which often attaches itself in clusters to rocks or hard seabeds. To me, it symbolizes resilience and connection.

The Pebbles series reflects the smooth, sea-rounded coral stones that wash up along the shore. They represent the sense of calm and peace one feels by the water.

This project presented a unique challenge: I wanted no two artworks to be identical, even though each had to fit within one of the two themes.

I started by developing two sets of plaster press molds, which I used to shape clay slabs. These were then further refined by using the coil technique. For finishing, I employed the terra sigillata technique, underglaze, and a variety of glazes, including earthenware, stoneware, and raku. In the Tunicate series, I also added gold leaf, as a symbol of the coral reefs’ fragility and value.

In April 2025, the first rooms were ready for installation of the wall objects.