Terreindier

Terreindier, is a two-meter-tall sitting animal with horns, looking out toward the water near my studio in Utrecht at the cultural terrace of de Nijverheid. It’s body, composed of steel and covered in a ceramic skin, holds the imprint of the landscape and the industrial remnants of the surrounding area. Every piece of ceramic on the animal’s skin captures a fragment of the world around it—patterns, textures, and shapes drawn from surfaces and objects, like tractor tires, furniture carvings, crystal ashtrays, and remnants of past industry. These elements form a patchwork of memory, anchoring the sculpture to its location while symbolizing the spirit of the place.

The steel structure forms the skeleton of the animal, a frame shaped by hand and welded together. Through this process, the animal emerged—a guardian of the place, carrying within its form the essence of the terrain from which it was born.

Its posture is that of a creature in repose, observing the world with a quiet sense of wisdom and watchfulness. In its surface, the history of the land is written—its skin bears witness to the layered narratives of the environment, inviting viewers to explore the details and discover the stories embedded within the textures.