Main Artistduo

Ien Sluyters & Marjon Deul

‘Why being creative works best when working together - The power of two.’

There they are, in their studio, covered by aprons and welding jackets, welding masks, welder’s goggles and earmuffs, bending over steel.

Particles of dust and sparks of light everywhere. The cold, hard, raw and rigid material is being transformed into a form, a sculpture. When ready it’s not just a sculpture hanging on the wall.

It comes towards you, supported by the ever-changing play of shadow and light.
Here they are creating, thinking, discussing, adjusting, cursing, sawing, laughing, welding and wondering. Their sense of humour is ever-present.

Small pieces of steel get connected to become a story, a figure, a sculpture, a portrait. Sometimes commissioned, sometimes free form.

For them, every work is a new opportunity to rediscover the material, to find new techniques and different angles. Always exploring new possibilities, based on not knowing, never playing safe.

Ien Sluyters (1973) and Marjon Deul (1966) are artist duo Mainkunstenaars. Both educated at the Art Academy in Arendonk (Belgium). During their education they learned that there is power in their collaboration and partnership. They discovered the power of the pair. They create sculptures (of steel or clay) and assembled art. Which they often find on the streets while picking up litter. They most beautiful forms and object they find will often find a place in the bronze artworks they make. Their work is displayed in several galleries.

Commissioned by Airco Caravan, they created a little statue of Martin Luther King. This statue was presented to different organisations and people who have put slavery firmly on the international agenda.

At this moment, the statue can be viewed in the National Civil Rights Museum at Lorraine Motel (where King was murdered), the Studio Museum Harlem and the Nobel Museum Stockholm. In Amsterdam there is a statue at the Mauritshuis, Tropenmuseum, Martin Luther King Park, Amsterdam museum, VU University and the Mayor’s Residence.

Adriaan van Dis, John Lewis, Angela Davis, Nasrdin Dchar, Jerry Afriyie, Humberto Tan and many more have received the statue of Martin Luther King.

Besides feeling honoured and appreciated being asked to create this statue, it’s an expression of their social and cultural involvement. It shows how much it’s entangled in their life and work and it goes beyond their niche and clients.

Collections

House of Representatives – The Hague
OBA – Amsterdam
Museum van Loon – Amsterdam
Nobel Museum – Stockholm
National Cilvil Rights Museum – Memphis USA
CBK Zuidoost – Amsterdam
Rob Scholte Museum – Den Helder
City Hall – Oisterwijk
City Hall – Hilvarenbeek
Tropenmuseum – Amsterdam
Martin Luther King Park – Amsterdam
River Side Church – New York City
Mayor’s Residence Herengracht – Amsterdam
University of Amsterdam – Amsterdam
MLK Park – Amsterdam
City Hall – Nederweert
Dotterstraat – Oisterwijk

Publications

2023

Kunstenaarsjaarboek
Beelden Magazine
BK Informatie

Exhibitions

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016