The Treasury of StudioZAND

Now on view | until 5 january

Erna Huppelschoten and Frans Ottink have been working together in the Amersfoort studio studioZAND for over twenty years. When you live and work together you inspire each other. Some themes recur in both works. The themes of nature, science, history, family and the city of Amersfoort are highlighted in the exhibition. Erna and Frans have brought together, in chronological order, a large collection of tableware, small objects, jewelry, texts and photos that they have worked on over the past 35 years. In addition, the duo browsed through the collection of Museum Flehite in search of objects that match their craft, sources of inspiration and interests. The exhibition The Treasury by studioZAND can be seen from Saturday, August 31 to Sunday, November 10.

Historic city center as a source of inspiration

The chronological arrangement offers an insight into the development of style, but also of interests, sources of inspiration and the science background of both artists. The exhibition shows a strong desire for geometry and science. History plays a role based on memories, the historic city center of Amersfoort plays a role in some works.
Another important source of inspiration is nature, earthly life, and the experience of traditional farmland.

Attention to craft

The Treasury of studioZAND is an exhibition about craftsmanship par excellence. Both Erna and Frans pay a lot of attention and feeling for the material and mastering technique. Craft forms the link between tradition and innovation, between known material handling and experiment, between well-trodden paths and new paths. After all, 'making' is a way of 'thinking'. New products are created through experiments with shape, color, composition, drawings, and at the same time the idea or concept grows.

Quirky material

Frans Ottink's work is characterized by a often clear, geometric basis. But there is always an eye for detail, small ornaments or tangible fragility. Initially he mainly designed functional tableware for series production, but at the beginning of his career the goal was to largely master the porcelain material. Gradually, the unruliness and idiosyncrasy of the material also came into its own. Nowadays he gives his romantic soul more and more space.
Erna Huppelschoten's jewelry is often made of metals such as silver, aluminum or copper. A combination with other materials, such as porcelain, is also made. They always have a reference to traditions and nature. Seed pods, flower shapes, growth and death: it is a common thread in all her work. The story they tell is more valuable than just their appearance or wearability.

Work in progress

The exhibition also includes some texts and photos. The photos provide a small glimpse into the artists' studio. The racks with moulds, the shelves with experiments and models, these are wonderful still lifes from everyday work.

More about studioZAND

studioZAND designs and makes tableware and products such as vases, urns and jewelry made of porcelain and metal. They also produce tableware and objects in small or larger quantities for fellow designers. StudioZAND makes everything, from model and mold to the final product, in its own studio.

“We feel it is our duty to make things so beautiful that they last a long time. We see that as a form of sustainability. We strive for as little waste as possible in the production process. In the store we sell, among other things, our own collection. New is 'Without End', personal porcelain objects made from cremation ashes.”