History and highlights

A brief overview of selected work, achievements, and key milestones.

 

Art studio

2000 – present

Graduated in 2000, I have always had a strong appreciation for craftsmanship, transformation, and the reuse of existing imagery.
Since 2016 I have focused on developing my unique style of pixelated collages based on reuse of vintage prints and painted board.

 

De Buitenschool

2015 – present

Co-founder and chair of the cooperative De Buitenschool, developing a multi-generational living and working community in the historic Buitenschool building in the forests near Appelbergen.

TwisTable
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Studio Volken de Vlas

2007-2023

Design studio for interior products focusing on clever solutions for the durable use of techniques and materials.

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Steentijd

2024

As part of Studio Volop, I designed the spatial artwork Steentijd, commissioned by House of Design and the Province of Groningen.

Steentijd translates to “the Age of Stone” or “Stone Age.” The folly tells the story of the region’s rich brickmaking history, appearing as both a Romanesque medieval church and a brick factory, depending on the direction from which it is approached. Up close, the structure dissolves into an abstract composition resembling megalithic stone forms.

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Studio Volop

2017 – present

Studio Volop is an all-round design studio for spatial- and product design. We develop concepts and objects for public spaces and interiors, and design and produce sustainable materials and products for interior and exterior applications.

Diggels
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Diggels

2017-present

As co-founder of Studio Volop, we initiated and led development and market launch of the circular terrazzo material Diggels, a successful material, independently produced for interior and architectural applications.

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Genesis piece

2016

For a commission by the Museum for Children’s Books, I created a centerpiece for the main hall. Made from vintage children’s books, it marked a pivotal moment in my practice, initiating my exploration of print materials as a new visual art form.

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Nockstone

2014 – present

Nockstone is a unique modular building stone designed and developed by Volken de Vlas and Melle Koot in partnership with PEZY.  It is 100% recyclable and made of biobased, durable and sustainable material. Nockstone is now independently produced.

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CoverUp

2009-2016

Reuse of vintage bookcovers in a wide range of table- and furniture designs. Linen and paper covers were collected from waste.

WeerWaar op Noorderzon
 

Weerwaar

2007-2010

WeerWaar Gallery was a traveling gallery featuring work by artists and designers who focus on the reuse of materials. The gallery toured festivals and was a regular guest at Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival in Groningen. Weerwaar was founded by Marije Jumelet and Volken de Vlas.

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Early works

Playing with found objects and a range of reused materials to create one-off spatial works.