Ceramics display: Martijn Verzijl – A Hairy Situation
Visiting time: ●●● Short (15 minutes)Design Museum Den Bosch proudly presents the ceramic work of young Den Bosch artist Martijn Verzijl (1999). This is Verzijl’s first solo museum presentation, who alongside his artistic practice also works as a gallery attendant at the museum. In the ceramics cabinet at the top of the museum’s monumental spiral staircase, you’ll discover a small but exquisite selection of work that Verzijl created in 2024 and 2025. This presentation is connected to the ceramics exhibition The Surface Decoration Ball, which is on show in the adjacent space on the second floor of the museum.
““Usually you search for this kind of talent abroad, but now he actually just walks around in our own museum!”” — Timo de Rijk (Director)
Ceramics as time capsule
Throughout the centuries, ceramics have been a carrier of stories and memories. Even in the earliest civilisations, pots, vases and jugs were used to store food, reinforce rituals and record important events. Because ceramics can remain intact for thousands of years, they serve as a tangible archive: a time capsule in which traces of use, symbolism and even fingerprints are preserved.
Verzijl’s ceramics follow this tradition: “I regard my objects as vessels of memory in which themes such as youth, loss and the passing of time are explored. By combining symbolism, craftsmanship and narrative elements, I connect personal stories with other cultures and philosophical ideas. Sometimes my objects feature texts and poems, allowing them to function as “storytellers” that interweave ancient symbolism with contemporary experiences. My work also depicts personal struggles, victories and moments of reflection.
For me, working with ceramics is not only a big part of my artistic practice, but also a form of therapy and craftsmanship. The creative process provides space for processing worries and uncertainties. At the same time, it forces concentration, discipline and respect for the material.”
The Surface Decoration Ball
The work of Martijn Verzijl connects beautifully with the exhibition The Surface Decoration Ball, on view in the adjecent room. This exhibition centres on a work by British artist Grayson Perry. Verzijl regards Perry as an important source of inspiration, and his work has often been compared to that of the Briton. Design Museum Den Bosch possesses an international collection of artist ceramics, almost entirely made in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. In The Surface Decoration Ball, the museum displays a number of its finest and most important objects. Think of leading works by international top artists as well as Dutch highlights.
A unique space for ceramics
At the top of the museum’s monumental spiral staircase, a new permanent space was created in 2022 where ceramic work is always on display. In recent years, the museum has presented a number of important works from its own ceramics collection in this space in varying compositions. Now we are showing work by a young Den Bosch ceramicist. The cabinet was designed by Peter Hopman of Bureau Lakenvelder in collaboration with GoGo Plastics. It is made from 100% recycled plastic combined with glass panels. It is a flexible design, inspired by the perforated steel tool wall, which allows ceramic work to be displayed in different configurations each time.
This presentation is curated by curator Marte Rodenburg and artist Martijn Verzijl. The cabinet was designed by Peter Hopman of Bureau Lakenvelder in collaboration with GoGo Plastics.
This presentation has been made possible with the support of the municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch,
provincie Noord-Brabant,
the Friends, Members and Patrons of Design Museum Den Bosch, and Club Design.
