FLORENTIJN HOFMAN

In 2000, Dutch artist, Florentijn Hofman, enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts in Kampen, The Netherlands, before pursuing his master’s at the Kunsthochschule Weissensee in Berlin, Germany. With a background in fine arts, Hofman began his career by creating sculptures that often originate from everyday objects. He transformed ready-made materials, chosen for their aesthetic forms, into clear and iconic images that provoke a sense of alienation and unsettlement through their sheer size and use of materials. Hofman aim is to challenge the audience’s sense of familiarity by offering a fresh perspective on everyday objects, and the familiarity and positivity of his works allow the public to approach art in an accessible manner.

Hofman’s sculptures, such as the renowned Rubber Duck (2007), a 26-meter-high inflatable duck, exude a strong sense of positivity and immediately evoke childhood memories. The duck has travelled to various cities worldwide, including France, Brazil, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Pittsburgh, and Santiago. Hofman’s keen attention to his surroundings enables him to explore the possibilities of materials and delve into the essence of the beauty of form and shape. Hofman expands his imagination by integrating local culture into his artwork, highlighting the importance and significance of human connection and engagement in his artistic expression. Social engagement and intercommunication are fundamental elements in Hofman’s creative process. By sharing his passion for sculpture in public spaces, Hofman creates encounters that invite audiences to embrace his universal aesthetic. The joy he instils in his creations encourages audiences to transcend notions of race and religion and engage in a dialogue with the artworks.

Michael Moore III 11/15

FLORENTIJN HOFMAN

Price: Private

See all artworks

Florentijn Hofman Interview with Japanese Art Media, Bijutsutecho

2023.07.12
ART NEWS

Turning the World into a Playground: Florentijn Hofman's 'MORE Yellow' Solo Exhibition

2023.06.23
ART NEWS

A Decade Later, The Giant Inflatable Rubber Duck Graces the City Once More

2023.06.10
ART NEWS

Hong Kong's Newest Landmark: Florentijn Hofman's Permanent Installation

2023.03.22
INTERVIEW

The Transformative Journey of Florentijn Hofman's Public Art

2023.03.16
ART NEWS

FLORENTIJN HOFMAN: INCLUSIVE

Seoul
2023.12.02 - 2024.01.07

FLORENTIJN HOFMAN: MORE Yellow

Ginza New Gallery
2023.06.16 - 07.15

Exhibitions (Excerpts):

2023: “PLAY – Upside Down” (Hong Kong)
2022: “Space Dog” (Shanghai, China)
“Celebrate” Today Art Museum (Shanghai, China)
“Rubber Duck” (Seoul, Korea)
“Magic Cube” (Chengdu, China)
2021: “Shiny Squirrel” (Chongqing, China)
“Playground” (Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
“Rubber Duck” (liquique, Chile)
2020: “Messenger of Brisbane” (Brisbane Festival, Australia)
“Selfie Panda“(Dujiangyan, China)
2019: “Diversity for Peace” (The Procuratie Vecchie, Venice, Italy)
“New Humania Exhibition” (NEMO Science Museum, The Netherlands)
“Rubber Duck” (Osaka, Japan)
2018: “Play Around the World” (Whitestone Gallery Taipei, Taiwan)
“Play Around the World” (Whitestone Gallery Hong Kong, China)
2017: “Rubber Duck” (Santiago and Valparaiso, Chile)
“Bubblecoat Elephant” (Kraken, Shenzhen, CN)
“Sweet Swans” (Seoul, Korea)
“Bubblegum Frogs” (Chiayi County, TW)
“James a la Laika” (Shanghai, CN)
2016: “Pets” (Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, The Netherlands)
“Conibear” (Eelde, NL)
“Floating Fish” (Wuzhen, CN)
“Rubber Duck” (Osaka and Macau)
2015: “PROJECTS 2014 (Moonrabbit, Taoyuan, TW)
“Belgrade Bear” (Belgrade, Serbia)
“Hippopothames” (London, UK)
“Rubber Duck” (Shanghai, Nanjing, Guiyang, Qingdai, Hangzhou)
2013: “Zagarayuschiy Zayats” (St. Petersburg, Russia)
“2 Blue Sparrows” (Rock Werchter Fest, Werchter, Belgium)
“Rubber Duck” (Sydney, Baku, Hong Kong, Pittsburg, Beijing, Taoyuan, Kaohsiung)
2012: “Mosca Muerta” (Cut Out Fest, Querétaro, Mexico)
“Mickey the Pig” (Arte headquarters, Strasbourg, France)
“Little Factory” (Landmark industrial area Azeven Noord, Drachten, NL)
2011: “Kobe Frog” (Hyogo Museum of Art, Kobe, Japan)
“Steelman” (Amsterdam, NL)
“Lookout Rabbit” (Nijmegen, NL)
2010: “Fat Monkey” (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
“Solo show, 12 meter Rubber Duck” (Hasselt, BE)
“The City Museum, 2 Caniches and Mole” (Lelystad, NL)
Solo show, “Dushi” (Delfzijl, Groningen, NL)
2009: “Aqua Metropolis Osaka 2009”, “Rubber Duck” (Osaka, JP)
“Twente Biennale” (Hengelo, NL)
Solo show, Galery West, “Dushi”, “Two Treehouses, Tree and platonised wood” (The Hague, NL)
2008: “Mostra sesc de artes 08, Rubber Duck” (Sao Paulo, BR)
2007: “See for real, Zirkus Zeppelin” (South-Holland, NL)
“Instant Urbanism” (Basel, Switzerland)
“Estuary Biennale” (St. Naizare, FR)
2006: “Urban Explorers Festival” (Dordrecht, NL)
“Boumbaclaque, Dak’art Off biennale, Lion avec ballon” (Dakar, Senegal)
2005: “Krabbeplas, The Great Conservancy Show, happening” (Vlaardingen, NL)
Solo show (Galery West, The Haque)
“Nationaal Monument” (Amsterdam)
2004: Solo show (Museum Nagsael, Rotterdam, NL)