RIK
VAN VEEN

Rik van Veen (b. 1989, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) is a Dutch contemporary designer and artist whose practice merges material innovation, sustainability and sculptural design. Based in Rotterdam, Van Veen is internationally recognised for his experimental approach to furniture, lighting and object design, creating unique works that emerge from hands-on exploration with reclaimed materials and self-constructed machines.

Van Veen originally trained in mechanical engineering before graduating in product design from the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam in 2014. This technical background informs his inventive practice, where material constraints and industrial detritus become catalysts for creative transformation. In his Rotterdam studio, discarded plastics, scrap components and everyday materials are reimagined into functional art objects that challenge conventions of form and production.

Rik van Veen’s work is distinguished by a deep commitment to ecological responsibility and design ingenuity. By activating waste streams and repurposing materials with precision and imagination, his designs embody a contemporary ethos of sustainability while asserting a refined aesthetic presence. Notable pieces such as the Leopard bench, HDPE bench, Frapping bench and innovative lighting and seating objects reflect his sculptural vision and technical mastery.

His work has been featured in influential exhibitions and design fairs, including PAD London, Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam, KunstRAI and the SHIFT exhibition at the Museum of Young Art (MOYA). In 2025, Rik van Veen was represented by the major Dutch gallery Rademakers Gallery, where his work continued to attract attention from collectors and institutions.

Through a practice rooted in experimentation, ingenuity and ecological awareness, Rik van Veen contributes a fresh and critical voice to contemporary design discourse. His work resonates with audiences who seek objects that are not only visually compelling but also materially meaningful embodying a thoughtful dialogue between craftsmanship, sustainability and conceptual depth.

Rik van Veen lives and works in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

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