Maarten Baas is a Dutch artist, who graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2002. Baas is considered one of the most influential designer artists of the early twenty-first century, stating his work straddles boundaries between art and design. He occupies a unique position in the field, embodying conceptual art, craftsmanship, installation, limited editions, public space and performance into his oeuvre. He is known for his rebellious, intellectual, theatrical and artistic style. The clear majority of his work is handmade in his studio in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Baas’ most renowned works are Smoke, Clay and Real Time, that gave him instant worldwide recognition. For instance, in 2009, he was named Designer of the Year at Design Basel/ Miami. In 2012, the New York Times listed both Smoke and Clay in its Top 25 Design Classics of the Future. In 2016, Baas won the Artprize for his Real Time Sweepers’ clock. His work is found in numerous private and major museum collections, such as the Museum of Modern Art New York, Victoria & Albert Museum London, Les Arts Décoratifs Paris, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, High Museum of Art Atlanta, Die Neue Sammlung Münich, and the Stedelijk and Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. Furthermore, he has worked for exclusive brands such as Louis Vuitton, Swarovski, Christian Dior, Gramercy Park Hotel, City of Dreams, Dom Ruinart and Berluti.
