About Maarten Donders

Maarten Donders, born in 1968 in the Netherlands, grew up in Eindhoven, where his passion for drawing and visual arts blossomed. After studying at the St. Joost Academy in Breda, he specialized in sculptural and monumental design, with clay emerging as a hallmark medium in his work. Donders creates an expansive array of sculptures, wall pieces, installations, and even textile works, integrating materials like wood, stone, metal, ceramics, and leather.

"Through my work, I aim to reveal different layers—both symbolically and visibly. Many of my pieces delve into themes of labyrinths and journeys, where the human presence finds its place amid order and chaos. These imagined labyrinths invite exploration, yet reflect the possibility of getting lost; hidden elements emerge in this dynamic balance."

A recurring theme in Donders' work is his fascination with maps and their depiction of journeys. He sees maps as frozen moments in time, a way to give structure to our experiences. This balance between clarity and mystery mirrors our constant urge for movement, as we navigate between the transient and the permanent.

Donders envisions life as a mysterious journey—a continuous exploration through familiar and unknown landscapes. In his work, moments, ideas, and places are connected like points on a map, creating pathways that feel both familiar and mysterious. He seeks the tension between what we grasp and what eludes us, shaping life as a series of interconnected experiences. Each piece offers a glimpse of a broader map, where microcosmic details merge with universal themes. Through this merging, Donders captures how past, present, and future intertwine to guide us forward. His work invites curiosity—a call to delve deeper and wander further, where each encounter uncovers something hidden, yet timelessly familiar