About

Hi, my name is Kirsten Bakker, and I’m a self-taught sculptural artist based in the Netherlands, Europe.
My work explores otherworldly fantasy realms, where elements of realism and imagination intertwine.

Since childhood, daydreaming has been my way of processing a heavy world. Through clay, I give form to that inner life by sculpting otherworldly beings that carry real emotions. For me, fantasy is not an escape from truth, but a path toward it. 

Drawing inspiration from symphonic metal music, gothic literature, science, nature and dark fairy tales, I create sculptural pieces that invite viewers into introspective and unfamiliar worlds.

“Ever since I first picked up a piece of clay, I’ve been captivated by the worlds I can bring to life”

With a background in engineering physics, I also enjoy the technical side of exploring different materials and developing new sculpting techniques, as well as building and maintaining my own website.

Creative process

All of my creations are handmade in my studio in the historic and innovative city of Delft.
Let me tell you a little about the process of creating my work.

I first started modelling clay in 2007. Initially, I used paper clay, but soon polymer clay became my preferred medium, and I still use it for the majority of my sculptures today.
Polymer clay is a soft, PVC-based modelling material that is soft to work with and hardens in the oven.

Faces are my favourite thing to sculpt!
I first model the clay into a rough shape and then gradually add more details. I let my intuition guide me as I add tiny pieces of clay at a time. Sculpting without reference images, I allow the essence of the piece to emerge organically through careful observation and touch.
A small face takes several hours to sculpt before it is ready to be baked and painted.

In addition to sculpting, I incorporate traditional macramé techniques and a wide range of materials into my work, creating mixed-media pieces that are both intricate and tactile. I knot the macramé elements directly onto the sculptures without pre-designed patterns, responding precisely to each form. This organic process reflects my interest in transformation, material experimentation and the dialogue between structure and spontaneity.

The possibilities are truly endless, and this keeps me inspired to continually explore new techniques and materials to bring my imagination to life.