Fair Director’s Picks for Amsterdam 2025

This artwork by Scheveningen-based artist Dim Rooker, expertly contrasts textures of found materials to create a charming meditation on the coastal environment that inspires his practice. No bright bikinis and sugary ice creams here, his works speak simultaneously of the rough materiality of the harbour and to a gentle peace that’s perhaps only felt wandering the boundary between land and sea.

Another artist exploring mixed media techniques to incredible effect is Ellen Valk. I was immediately drawn to this portrait’s unusual shape. The subject’s closed eyes and artist’s decision to obscure certain features, creates intrigue. This subtle interplay between what is revealed and what remains hidden invites us to linger.

Mark Robert Peters is another artist whose otherworldly abstract paintings are certain to be a delight in real life. Blending horizons of colour with a strong sense of symmetry, these works echo the mysterious connection between human presence and cosmic wonder.  

Botanic shadows of saturated colour drift across Belgian painter Sandra Keutgens’ vibrant canvases, transforming the familiar forms of leaves and petals into something extraordinary. The result is a visual experience that feels both intimate and expansive, inviting viewers to lose themselves in the lush, vibrant world she creates. Certainly one to look out for at the fair! 

This work by Iranian artist MH Nikbakht from his Zen Garden series, channels an essential, tactile presence that reminded me of a beautiful Barbara Hepworth’s sculpture I studied back in my twenties. In a soft, warm blue this simple form sits  

somewhere between being a pebble, ice or a little mound of sugar icing. Combining braille into its surface, it’s whispering to the viewer to slow down and consider what subtle messages we might hear if we slow down a little bit. 

Similarly, Chris Koens’ wooden sculptures are silently calling out to be touched! Blending a sense of the unknown with a playful, almost cute quality reminiscent of toys. Each form hints at the anonymity and powerlessness of animals, yet the warmth of wood brings a gentle, comforting presence. The shapes are carefully crafted to invite touch and care, their smooth surfaces and rounded edges encouraging interaction. Through this delicate balance of innocence and depth, the sculptures become more than objects—they are quiet stories held within each grain of wood.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Amsterdam fair. There’s still time to buy tickets and join us at De Kromhouthal from 8 – 12 October.