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17-25 October 2026

Bench Players - Rop van Mierlo Undo

Bench Players:A selection of failed, rejected and unusual animals

Hosted by Wild Animals

This project is now archived and was part of DDW21

Event type

Exhibition

Cat - Wild Animals by Rop van Mierlo
Cat - Wild Animals by Rop van Mierlo
Rop van Mierlo 2021
Rop van Mierlo is intrigued by the human need to control nature. Using a wet-on-wet technique, he paints animals that he can’t control. At Piet Hein Eek Van Mierlo presents his new work, part of the 'Bench Players' release, a family of unused or rejected animals.

About Rop van Mierlo

Rop van Mierlo studied at Design Academy Eindhoven and graduated cum laude in 2008. He works with various mediums but starts his process mostly with drawings or paintings. Control – or the absence of it – is an important part of his work. He is best known for his picture book ‘Wild Animals’, which won a Dutch Design Award in 2011. Van Mierlo is intrigued by the human need to control nature. Using a wet-on-wet technique, he paints animals that he can’t control. His books are sold in MoMA in New York, Design Museum London and (late) Colette in Paris, amongst others. Van Mierlo has collaborated on projects with Hermès, Marni, Head Porter and Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.

Wild Animals - Bench Players

For his Wild Animals project, Van Mierlo experiments with his paintings in new techniques and materials. Resulting in undomesticated and qualitatively objects and products made in limited editions to unique items. At Piet Hein Eek Van Mierlo presents his new work, part of the 'Bench Players' release, a family of unused or rejected animals.
Two Butterflies - Wild Animals by Rop van Mierlo
Two Butterflies - Wild Animals by Rop van Mierlo
Rop van Mierlo 2021
Leopard - Wild Animals by Rop van Mierlo
Leopard - Wild Animals by Rop van Mierlo
Rop van Mierlo 2021

About Wild Animals

Rop and Remco, longtime friends, started working on their own label, based upon the animal prints from Rop. Named Wild Animals, their brand contains a variety of objects and products, ranging from wall hangings to ceramics, from wrapping paper to rugs. All products are made from / with high quality materials and workmanship. The essence of the brand is letting go of control.

Colofon

CEO Machine Remco van der Velden
Artist Rop van Mierlo

Partners

Sponsored by Bench Players - Rop van Mierlo Undo