Ruben Hoogvliet and Gijs Wouters are the founders of Atelier Fig, a dynamic collaboration that sprung during their study period at ArtEZ Academy in Arnhem, fueled by shared passions for materials, craftsmanship, and the natural world. Atelier Fig’s original creations delve into the art design sector, aiming playfully to meet the contemporary desire for new and personalized products. The creative duo specializes in crafting unique objects and accessories where the aesthetics encapsulate the tactile experience and experimental process of their projects, unveiling aspects often left unexplored.
The studio’s method seeks to investigate the limits of craftsmanship and production to find the boundary of what can be achieved: Atelier Fig aims to crystallize in its objects the act of transformation, performed with care, attention, and sensitivity to the context in which it operates.
An example of their creativity is the recent Gravity Collection, a series of works—made to order—using liquid clay, not employing plaster molds but a new technique: objects are created by exploiting a shape immersed in clay that absorbs moisture and is then left to dry without the use of kilns and subject to gravity. A process capable of revealing the unexpected effect of natural forces that always results differently from the previous one.
In 2022, Atelier Fig received the Rising Talent Award at the Maison & Objet fair and has already embarked on several international collaborations and partnerships with brands like Vitra and B&B Italia.
