Willem de Haan (1996) is a sign of the times. As a visual artist, he produces recognisable images. They challenge the socially conditioned rules of everyday life. By adding artificial elements to existing situations in an alienating yet convincing manner, the artworks exert a direct influence on the world around them: an effect that can best be compared to the function of props in film and theatre.

The main difference being that Willems’ scenarios do not take place in a fictional setting but in reality. His characteristic playful approach has become an integral part of exhibitions, festivals, magazine covers, live performances and TV adverts. Locally produced on an international scale. His projects have been featured at, amongst others, Le Voyage A Nantes (FR, 2025), Concéntrico (ES, 2024), the Down The Rabbit Hole Festival (NL, 2023), Lowlands (NL, 2025), the Houston Centre for Contemporary Crafts (US, 2024), the Project Space Festival Berlin (DE, 2024), Paradise City (BE, 2024) and Das Weisse Haus (AT, 2022). In 2025, he won the Dutch Design Award during Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven. His sculptures are included in the collections of, amongst others, the LAM Museum, Kinder Morgan Houston, Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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www.willemdehaan.be
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