Born in The Netherlands in 1992, Willem van Hooff is an artist and designer based in Eindhoven. He graduated from Design Academy Eindhoven in 2018 and established his own studio shortly afterwards. Van Hooff describes himself as a modern craftsman. His practice is rooted in a fascination with forgotten techniques, existing products and the knowledge embedded in traditional methods of production.
Willem van Hooff often begins with a process that has lost its place in contemporary manufacturing. He studies how a tool, machine or material was once used and then redirects it toward a new object. This approach is neither nostalgic nor an attempt to reproduce historical design. It is a way of recovering intelligence that has been overlooked and testing what it can contribute now.
Ceramics form an important part of Van Hooff's work, alongside wood, metal, glass and concrete. He works through direct, often physically demanding techniques that leave a clear imprint on the final surface. Irregularity, tool marks and structural decisions remain visible. The raw character of the work is balanced by a strong sense of proportion and function. Objects may appear primitive, but their construction is carefully resolved.
For Van Hooff, a successful object must hold mind, body and soul. It should function, possess a distinct visual presence and carry a character that cannot be reduced to efficiency alone. This position is a response to the apparent perfection of mass production, where consistency can remove the evidence of human decision and material resistance. His work brings those qualities back into view.
Recent projects extend this inquiry across vessels, furniture and sculptural objects. Van Hooff has participated in Dutch Design Week, Object Rotterdam, Collectible Brussels, 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, Milan Design Week and exhibitions in Barcelona, Paris, London, New York and Tokyo. In 2025 and 2026, his work also formed part of Project Materia. NewHouse Gallery presents selected work by Willem van Hooff in Amsterdam. Browse available works by Willem van Hooff and explore his exhibition history.