Nynke Koster

In the sheltered 'Girlsgarden' of Gymnasium Haganum, a new artwork has emerged. A sculptural space where past and present meet. A space where architecture speaks, light plays, and stories can be touched. This work was born from a collaboration with the students, who shared their perspectives, memories, and dreams. Nynke Koster drew inspiration from their stories and drawings, transforming the school into more than just a building: into a living object of meaning, full of hidden symbolism, patterns, and narratives. Fragments from Haganum have been anchored, transformed, and reinserted into the artwork, creating a layered dialogue between history and the present, between stillness and movement. More than an object in the garden, this artwork is a place of reflection and encounter; a place that invites touch and discovery.

30 gevelpanelen aan de Siriusstraat in Hoorn. Geveltoepassing op gebouw van M3H architecten

30 gevelpanelen aan de Siriusstraat in Hoorn. Geveltoepassing op gebouw van M3H architecten

Art work in the public space of Delft. Commission by the municipality of Delft.

Solo tentoonstelling Museum Beelden aan Zee. Kunstwerk is site-specific gemaakt voor de ruimte van het Kabinet

Khepri upclose BIL nynke koster.jpg KHEPRI khepri nynkekoster website.jpg First work in the public space When I got the commission to create a sculpture for Beelden in Leiden I visited the Rijksmuseum of Oudheden (RMO) a number of times and got in touch with their mysterious Scarab amulets. As a child I was obsessed with this beautiful dung beetle. Dualism and renewal I investigated through the symbolism of Khepri, the mythological Egyptian god-beetle that embodies eternal life and constant transformation. A symbol of resurrection and protection. Egyptologists have never discovered a specific cult center to Khepri, but he has been worshiped in Heliopolis, a center of the sun god. With this object I honor the rising sun. As a sundial and as a cult center for the here and now. "The dung beetle or scarab symbolized the sun because the ancient Egyptians saw a connection between the dung beetle that rolled the dung into a ball and Khepri who let the sun roll up to bring the dawn every day and its light shine on the earth." Because of my connection with the dung beetle and the RMO the museum asked me to create a special Element of time for their collection. On view in the Rijksmuseum of Oudheden.

Memorial for descendants of slavery in NYC. Casted by descendants of slavery. More then 4000 fingers rising out of the ground. Placed at the burial plots that are still in NYC nowadays.

Object for Palace of Soestdijk

Detail of object

Each object occurs from fragments of architectural ornaments transformed in stools

Object is a copy of space. Direct contra mold gives a new meaning to architectural spaces

Object is a copy of space. Direct contra mold gives a new meaning to architectural spaces

Object is a copy of space. Direct contra mold gives a new meaning to architectural spaces

Mold of Gates of Paradise, doors from Ghibert (1420) Florence

Especially for the Yes College and KC Aquamarijn, Nynke Koster designed the artwork Shades of Palms. The artwork represents connection and inclusivity; not only between the two schools, but also among the students themselves. The schools are located on Donker Curtiusstraat and Albardastraat. Donker Curtius inspired Nynke in developing the concept of the artwork. Dirk Donker Curtius (1792–1864) was a Dutch minister who acted as a liberal opponent to the rule of Kings Willem I and Willem II. He worked alongside Thorbecke on the constitutional revision of 1848, which laid the foundation for our current parliamentary democracy. From that point on, it was no longer the King but the ministers who were responsible for government policy. Article 1 of the Constitution has since read: “All persons in the Netherlands shall be treated equally in equal cases. Discrimination on the grounds of religion, belief, political opinion, race, sex, disability, sexual orientation or on any other grounds whatsoever shall not be permitted.” Unfortunately, discrimination still exists, including in schools. That is why Nynke decided to create an artwork in various skin tones. Each color appears with equal frequency, making each one equally important. Inspired by Pantone’s skin tone guide, Nynke developed the colors in collaboration with a ceramics studio in The Hague. Nynke created the artwork together with the students of both schools. In December 2022, she and her team cast the hands of 900 children. These hand casts were enlarged using a 3D scanner and then 3D printed into 10x10 cm squares. Molds were made from these squares to eventually fire the tiles in ceramic. The focus of the hand imprint is on the palm, and each tile resembles a small landscape, much like those found on The Hague’s beaches. Now, 3,000 tiles hang throughout YES College and KC Aquamarijn, linking the two institutions together. Arranged in Tetris-like patterns; based on Nynke’s own memories of primary school; the skin-toned tiles spread through the hallways.