There is a precise, elusive moment that Los Angeles-based sculptural artist Katrien Van der Schueren chases in her workshop—not when a piece is finished, but when it arrives. It is the juncture where an object becomes, as she describes it, a version of itself. It may not be the only version, nor is it necessarily the final iteration across eternity, but it is the true version for now.
It is arguably the most honest admission an artist can make about their practice: that creation is an ongoing dialogue rather than a definitive statement. This underlying philosophy governs every weighty, poetic, and uncompromising object that emerges from her studio.
Main Facts: The Industrial Feminine
Katrien Van der Schueren occupies a rare space in contemporary American design and fine art. Working from her dynamic studio in Los Angeles, she handles materials that have inherently "no business being delicate"—heavy wood, raw metal, rigid plaster, bio-resin, and industrial concrete. Yet, through an alchemy of intuition and technical mastery, she transforms these brutalist mediums into forms that are undeniably, unmistakably feminine and deeply poetic.
The Mediums: Concrete, metal, wood, plaster, and bio-resin.
The Aesthetic: A deliberate friction between the industrial and the intimate; massive weight juxtaposed against delicate, flowing forms.
Core Offerings: Statement fireplaces (such as the striking Gold Mural Fireplace), custom wall sconces, sculptural vessels, and transitional objects that bridge the gap between fine art and functional design.
Standout Piece: The Envelope Sconce—a 12-by-12-inch concrete wall light finished with cold-applied liquid bronze and white bronze, designed to make heavy concrete look and fold like paper.
Target Audience: High-end interior designers, private collectors, and architectural firms seeking pieces that anchor spaces without overwhelming them.
Chronology: The Evolution of a Practice
To understand Van der Schueren’s current standing in the international design community, one must trace the evolutionary arc of her artistic development, defined not by rigid timelines, but by material exploration and psychological surrender.
The Formative Years and Material Exploration
Long before her pieces were being specified for high-end residential and commercial interiors across Los Angeles and beyond, Van der Schueren engaged in a quiet, rigorous study of physical forms. Rather than sketching objects on paper and forcing materials to bend to a blueprint, her process historically began—and continues to begin—at the workbench. By engaging directly with raw elements, she allowed the physical limitations and unexpected behaviors of concrete and metal to dictate the trajectory of her sculptures.
The Shift Toward Functional Sculpture
As her portfolio expanded, the boundary lines between pure sculpture and functional object began to blur. Wall sconces transformed from simple illumination devices into dynamic wall reliefs. Vessels took on architectural proportions. This cross-pollination between art and function caught the attention of forward-thinking interior designers who recognized that Van der Schueren’s creations possessed a rare quality: they could elevate an entire room without competing with its existing architecture.
The Rise of the Signature Finish
In recent years, pieces like the Envelope Sconce and monumental installations like the Gold Mural Fireplace cemented her reputation. These works introduced complex surface treatments—such as cold-applied liquid bronze and intricate patinas—that react dynamically to shifting natural light, ensuring that the artworks never remain static within a space.
Supporting Data & Design Metrics
Van der Schueren’s work thrives on specific physical parameters and spatial interactions that interior architects and curators take into consideration when placing her objects.
Scale and Proportion: The typical scale of her wall-mounted sconces hovers around intimate architectural dimensions (such as the 12” x 12” Envelope Sconce), making them suitable for both grand entryways and private, human-scale residential alcoves.
Light Responsiveness: Surface finishes, particularly her cold-applied liquid bronze and white bronze treatments, exhibit a high refractive variance. Studies of her installations in varying light conditions show distinct tonal shifts from morning natural light to evening ambient illumination.
Material Density vs. Visual Weight: Concrete components are engineered to maximize structural integrity while maintaining thin, folded edges that trick the eye into perceiving textile-like flexibility.
Geographic Reach: Primarily based in Los Angeles, her client base spans major design hubs across North America, with pieces commissioned for high-profile residential developments, boutique hospitality projects, and private art collections.
Official Responses & Studio Philosophy: On Surrender and Obsession
Ask Katrien Van der Schueren to outline a mechanical formula for her creations, and she will offer something far more profound: a psychological and artistic manifesto. Her reflections on the creative process reveal an artist deeply attuned to the subconscious mechanics of making.
On the Intuitive Process
“Sculpting, to me, is very much an intuitive process. Almost subconscious, really,” Van der Schueren explains. “I can think about a piece, and what I want to make, but it’s only once I start playing with the materials, shaping, adding, removing… that it becomes clear what the piece needs to be. And mostly, the only thing I can do is to surrender to that process.”
This perspective rejects the assembly-line mentality of modern mass production. Instead of imposing a premeditated shape onto an unwilling medium, Van der Schueren acts as an intermediary, unearthing the form that is already latent within the material. The concrete does not pretend to be something other than concrete; rather, it looks as though it was always destined to exist in that exact state.
On Environmental Influence
“Everything, everything you go through, everything that happens in the world, the surroundings that you create—everything finds its way into a piece. Nothing is ever made in a vacuum.”
On the Creative Obsession
When describing the immersive state of her studio practice, Van der Schueren speaks of an intense psychological immersion:
“It’s an amazing, wonderful love affair. And it’s also very much… an obsession. You’re in this bubble. Time dissolves. There is no Tuesday, Wednesday. You’re just obsessed. You can’t stop thinking about the piece.”
Implications: The Standard for Modern Interiors
The cultural and commercial implications of Van der Schueren’s work extend far beyond individual sales figures or gallery placements. In an era dominated by fast furniture, algorithmic interior design, and trend-driven decor, her sculptures represent a decisive counter-movement.
Elevating the "Thought-Out" Room
For elite interior designers, objects crafted with this level of intensity occupy the apex of the market. They are designed for spaces that are not merely assembled from a catalog checklist, but rooms that have been conceptualized with obsessive, meticulous care. A space featuring a Van der Schueren sconce or fireplace demands a narrative; it requires a collector who values authenticity, tactility, and emotional resonance over fleeting aesthetic trends.
The Future of Industrial Craft
By pushing industrial mediums into realms of delicate, feminine expression, Van der Schueren challenges the historical gender binaries of material culture—where heavy metals and concrete were traditionally coded as masculine and industrial, while textiles and curves were coded as soft. Her work successfully dissolves these boundaries, offering a blueprint for contemporary artisans who wish to bridge heavy architecture with emotive storytelling.
Where to Find Katrien’s Work
Katrien Van der Schueren’s sculptures, fireplaces, and lighting fixtures are available exclusively through her studio. Private collectors, architects, and interior designers can make inquiries directly via her official channels.
(Editor’s Note: This feature is part of Studio Visit, a weekly editorial series by Roomhints highlighting visionary makers, their uncompromising practices, and the singular objects we would choose to take home.)
