HENK Visits Cindy Bakker
In the 'HENK Visits' series, we visit inspiring people to take a look into their daily home life. This time, we're in vibrant Rotterdam, with artist and photographer Cindy Bakker. Cindy is known for her large, colourful sculptures and installations, in which she plays with form and function. She draws her inspiration from everyday objects you might encounter outdoors: traffic signs, bollards or playground equipment: playful beauty that she translates into her art using objects made of wood, polystyrene and plaster.
In her home – which she shares with her partner, their newborn son Lio and cat Plato – everything revolves around colour, creativity and character. We spoke to Cindy about her work, interior design and what she is known for: colour.
Can you briefly introduce yourself?
Yes, hi! I'm Cindy Bakker. I'm a visual artist, photographer, and also a lecturer at the art academy. Welcome to my home in Rotterdam.
How would you describe your interior style?
I would describe my interior style as a very calm, timeless base with a pop of colour here and there. My partner and I are both artists and see furniture pieces as sculptures in your home. We often pay attention to beautiful timeless materials but are drawn to outspoken designs such as the Lean Lounge.
Why do you love working with colour so much, and how do you translate that into your work/interior?
In my work, I use a lot of colour; my artworks are very large and very colourful. But in my interior, I keep colour a bit minimal because this is where I want to unwind – that's why I also use colour in my interior, but not excessively.
Why then do you use colour in your work?
To shout!! Hahaha. Well, good question. I think I see the fascination for colour in everyday life reflected in a very primary colour and form language. I always translate that into sculptures in outdoor spaces. You simply cannot ignore that colour.
How do you see your love for art reflected in your home?
I collect a lot of art and I really save up for it. Or I ask an artist to create something, like the work you see above me here. So, my love for art is definitely reflected. Almost all the objects in the house are also a bit of a mix between designer furniture and art. We have art by, among others, Ruth van Beek, Annemarieke van Drimmelen, Femke Dekkers, Roosje Donselaar, Ine Lamers, Marleen Sleeuwits. Remarkably many women!
What inspires your art?
Everyday life, for example, a red and white barrier or a yellow parking bollard – essentially, all those everyday, mundane things we all use, I translate into my sculptures. Much of my work stems from personal memories. These memories come to life through the choice of universal forms, colours, and materials that exist around us every day, but for me, carry their own, personal meaning. In my work, I often use basic, primary elements—forms, colours, and materials that, in their simplicity, evoke a deeper sense of recognition. For example, my work Farm (2023) is a reflection of the memory of my grandfather and his farm. The installation of hay bales, combined with large colour fields, is my attempt to translate his world—the tractor, the cows, the land—into a tangible form. What I find special is how people—even from different backgrounds—recognise their own personal stories in these simple elements. Hay bales might symbolise long car journeys to the French countryside for one, while for another, they might evoke memories of holidays or family. By simplifying forms, materials, and colours, a new layer of association emerges, a layer that is unique to everyone. My work balances between recognition and alienation, and I play with this constantly changing fluid visual language. In my work, I often ask myself: how do I simplify an everyday reference?
What is your favourite interior object in your home?
I think lighting. It creates so much atmosphere, and they are all classics we have saved for, like Santa & Cole and Gubi as brands, or designers like Muller van Severen and Verner Panton. They are truly like icons in your home that give light.
Which space in your home feels most like you?
The dining room. We love cooking. My partner is Greek and cooks wonderfully, and we spend a lot of time dining at the table. So, we spend most of our time there. We're not really TV people either. Perhaps the dining room and the bookshelf.
Do you have a favourite colour to work with?
I find yellow a very friendly colour and it appears a lot in my work. But I don't have a favourite colour; it's often an insurmountable choice.
Do you have a favourite colour in your home?
I don't consciously choose a specific colour, but I use a lot of natural colours, like green, but just a little more pronounced. I also see a lot of blue, the colour of the sky, of the sea. I find it important to have a calm, warm, timeless base. A tip: paint everything in the same warm shade. We did this in our house too. The ceiling, the window frames, the walls, everything in a warm shade. And, add colour as accents. In our house, the bold green and soft powder blue colours stand out, creating a feeling of nature indoors.