Philosophy

We live in a world marked by misunderstanding, a lack of empathy, and the injustice that follows. Inequality and abuse of power appear in countless forms.

Hanneke de Leeuw longs to imagine how things might be different—how we could create a world that is beautiful and just, how we might rediscover our humanity and stand up against injustice. With humor, with wonder, and yes, even with confusion. Through her work, she wants to spark a movement, provoke—never didactic or heavy-handed, always sharp and playful.

While Hanneke may be most recognized for her ceramic works, her art reaches far beyond clay. As she puts it herself: “I’m challenging our relationship with the environment, the future of our food, refugee issues, women’s rights, politics, multiculturalism, and more. And yes, in the end, I believe I can save the world—so that’s exactly what I’m working on.”

Hanneke is a self-proclaimed “storyteller and maker”. She’s an artist/designer, she makes films, and she creates works that find their way into galleries and museums—always weaving stories that spark reflection and conversation.