Artist and curator Florien Hazenberg creates tactile, interactive works of art using recycled, natural, and found materials. Her sculptures highlight the interplay of material, construction, and texture, with stitched and crocheted elements that reveal the creative process. Originally from a coastal town in the Netherlands, she draws inspiration from the sea and childhood walks along the shore, her work explores themes of play, wonder, and the functionality of art objects. Through physical interaction, her work invites hands-on experience, fostering a sense of tactility and encouraging a wider audience to rediscover the joy of play and curiosity. This evolving dialogue between viewer and artwork transforms each piece into a celebration of texture, form, and creativity.

Inspired by the legacy of strong, independent women in her ancestry, Florien explores the potential of narrative-driven art to forge deeper connections with her audience.

Through an interplay of speculative and authentic histories, her sculptures invite viewers to engage actively, observing, imagining, and reinterpreting the past in ways that resonate with the present. This participatory exchange, whether through touch or thoughtful response, infuses each piece with a sense of shared meaning and ongoing transformation.

By creating her own display structures, such as ceramic hooks, wooden barrels and soft stools, Florien blurs the line between artwork and display; she challenges conventional notions of exhibiting, inviting viewers to reconsider how art is experienced. Her innovative approaches create immersive environments, where the method of display harmonises with the nature of the work, enriching the overall experience.