“If you’re an architect, your world is a building, a graphic designer works on a newspaper or a wall, while a landscape architect plays with nature itself. I try to draw all these worlds together and see what happens when they meet.”—Frederik Molenschot.
Molenschot, a graduate of Design Academy Eindhoven who currently lives and works in Zaandam, is part of the Dutch Design Movement. His degree was earned with studies in man and public space, where he focused on connecting people and their environments.
Molenschot’s passion for making things started in his childhood; both of his parents’ families owned a factory and he also grew up next to one. He founded Studio Molen in 2005 and is a blur of constant energy, forever creating and developing new ideas and inspiring people. Working out of his studio, Molenschot crafts his pieces by hand and displays incredible diversity. He has a deep interest in the artificial and natural elements of our surroundings, and his aim is to transport the viewer’s senses to a new level.
Molenschot is best known for his cast bronze lighting structures, particularly his body of work City light, which he hand-shaped into detailed formations to channel and direct light. At his core, however, he is a passionate artist and Polaroid photographer, often creating 3D works that translate his stories into objects. His artistic practice began in 2000, after creating Atlas, a diary of projects and materials.
Frederik Molenschot has exhibited his work in several significant international exhibitions and fairs. In 2017, his pieces were featured in the Art Light exhibitions at Carpenters Workshop Gallery in both New York and London. His 2016 exhibitions included Zona Maco in Mexico City, Design Days Dubai, PAD Paris, Art Monte-Carlo in Monaco, Art Light in Paris and Design Miami in the USA. In 2015, Molenschot showcased at Art Genève in Switzerland, Masterpiece in London and Guild in Cape Town. The previous year, his work appeared at BRAFA in Brussels, Design Shanghai, the Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris and multiple shows in Dubai. Additionally, in 2013 and 2012, he participated in the Pavilion of Art & Design in Paris, Masterpiece London, Design Miami/Basel and Design Days Dubai. Earlier highlights include his participation in Design Miami/Miami in 2011 and the inaugural show at Carpenters Workshop Gallery in Paris the same year.
