Evy Jolijn Deelen
My work revolves around an exploration of form and the interaction between objects and the spaces they inhabit. In creating my ceramic pieces, I engage in a continuous dialogue with the medium—a process that demands not only craftsmanship but patience, presence, and a willingness to embrace each challenge that arises.
Working exclusively with porcelain, I am constantly reminded of its strong memory; every step taken in haste reveals itself after firing, underscoring the importance of patience in my craft. Through porcelain, I explore ideas of time, space, and growth, using each shape as a marker of my journey as both an artist and a craftswoman.
Each piece I create stands as more than an object; it is a testament to dedication, curiosity, and the slow, intentional rhythm that ceramics require. In their hollowness, my works capture fragments of the journey—moments of doubt, small victories, repeated attempts, and, ultimately, the passage of time that shapes them. Just as I mold these forms, they mold me in return, demanding energy, skill, and a profound commitment that has allowed me to push the limits of both the material and myself.
The inspiration behind my visual language is rooted in my surroundings. I draw influence from the distinct character of my city, Rotterdam, and its raw, unconventional design choices, as well as from the softer, classical forms of my birthplace, Den Bosch. By combining these elements, I give life to a family of objects that oscillate between abstraction and functionality, inviting a sense of curiosity and exploration.

Exhibitions
Coming up
May 2025
ART[s} Gallery
Exhibition 14
May 2025
Glue Utrecht
'Finished forms curated by Sanne Kaal'
2025
Object Rotterdam
2023
De design shop, Dutch design week.
2022
Graduation show
Willem De Kooning Product design
2020
Voedselbank Markthal Blaak, Rotterdam
2019
Design district Rotterdam
Talks
2020
Dutch design week ‘Heb je een menuutje?,
Online
2021
Congres: Arm in arm tegen armoede, de Doelen Rotterdam
Publications
BNO Dutch design yearbook 2022
Graduation work “Growing urn”
Residencies
Feb 2024
1 week residentie with Oasis and Lagoon.
Glass blowing workshop in Boda Glasbruk