"Osiris' new works carry a strong sense of material tension, where reflections and layered materials shift between bold, almost rock 'n roll statements and softer, more atmospheric moments."
Osiris Hertman (1972, NL) is a renowned name in the world of design. His meticulous drawings form the basis of his instantly recognisable style: every piece, from sculptural furniture to mirrored objects, is crafted by artisans from around the world according to those drawings.
CRAFTSMANSHIP ACROSS DISCIPLINES
Hertman works across several specialised studios throughout the Netherlands, each dedicated to a distinct discipline within his practice: a steel studio for welding and polishing his stainless steel elements, a ceramics studio for producing the ceramic legs featured in many of his pieces, and a studio where he paints with transparent lacquers.
REFLECTION AND TEXTURE
His burnt steel table captures Hertman's inventive approach to materials. Stainless steel legs, rolled in two directions to a mirror-polished finish, meet Japanese Shou Sugi Ban wood, charred to reveal a deep, textured surface. A layer of transparent epoxy is applied over the burnt wood, subtly catching the light and drawing out the depth and grain beneath. The result is a dialogue between industrial, reflective steel and raw, blackened wood, sealed under a glossy resin skin; a tension between reflection and texture that gives each piece a bold, contemporary presence.
MIRRORED SURFACES
Hertman's mirrored wall sculptures, tables and cabinets go beyond their glossy exteriors. Blurring the line between object and environment, they question our perception and invite active interaction, drawing the viewer into a dynamic experience of the work. Reflections shift and multiply with the viewer's position, creating a profound sense of depth and presence; as if the composition continues to unfold within the space around it.
Osiris Hertman graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven, where he studied under Lidewij Edelkoort. He began his career working for Ulf Moritz and later for Marcel Wanders, before opening his own studio in 1997. Already during his second year at the Design Academy, his innovative ceramic work was featured in a design book by Philippe Starck, and his graduation project was later exhibited at Kunsthal Rotterdam.
Since then, Hertman has built a distinctive body of design work - from sculptural tables and cabinets to mirrored wall pieces and handcrafted jewellery, including silver work for renowned lifestyle brand Buddha to Buddha. His work has been published and exhibited internationally.