Sanne Terweij

Sanne Terweij (Amsterdam, 1984) is a Dutch artist and designer whose practice sits at the intersection of material alchemy, craftsmanship, and sculpture. Working with metals including copper and brass, she transforms raw industrial materials into distinctive wall objects that fuse classical sensibility with a thoroughly contemporary visual language.

At the heart of Terweij's practice is oxidation — an unpredictable, only partially controllable chemical process that she has made entirely her own. In her Amsterdam studio, she experiments with chemical interventions and artistic technique, breathing life into metal surfaces through colour, texture, and the organic movement of oxides. Because oxidation resists full control, each work is the result of a constant negotiation between intention and chance — a journey of finding acceptance in what is, and changing what she deems necessary. The result is that no two works are ever the same.

Her wall objects are built from hundreds of hand-cut shapes, assembled with meticulous care. Their surfaces shimmer and shift with the movement of light and the changing perspective of the viewer, offering an experience that is as much about time as it is about form. Terweij is drawn to the small imperfections inherent in handmade work — the marks that give each piece its own individual character and history.

Her practice carries a quiet conceptual depth. Oxidation is a process more often associated with deterioration and loss of value. Terweij deliberately inverts this reading, employing it to achieve exactly the opposite: to add unique value, character, and beauty. Her work invites collectors and viewers alike to reconsider what we mean by worth, and to look beyond the surface for what lies beneath.

In 2022 she received the prestigious Rising Talent Award at Maison et Objet, Paris — one of the most significant recognitions in the international design world.