TURF puts Breda makers in the spotlight
Especially for TURF 2025, he worked, on behalf of FAWL (@fawlcustoms), on the design of a custom sneaker. Inspired by one of the local Bredase legends: the story with the Turfschip.
“I used to walk past that small statue on the Stadserf, ‘the Schippertje’. It's an ode to that story, with which our city was ultimately liberated from Spanish rule. In a half-leaking boat, during carnival. The ingenuity and courage to just do it — that’s what the story is about for me. And that is still what makes Breda what it is. There is soooo much creative energy in this city. TURF is the perfect platform to showcase that creativity and discover new ideas.”
City full of stories
Sebastian hails from near Eindhoven, studied graphic design at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam and is now a Bredaan 'by choice'. “It's open here, social, and warm. The old town centre is beautiful, and I think it's great that the city continues to green itself. More green means more peace of mind. And we all need that. Also cool about Breda: all those stories this city holds. This city has experienced so much. I was recently at the Stedelijk Museum, for an exhibition by Blind Walls Gallery about Boschstraat. It’s unbelievable what has happened in just one small part of the city.”
It's okay to give it a bit of a kick, but it does need to be about something
History is definitely his thing. He describes himself as an ‘inquiring designer’: “I like to delve into the context and history of things first — and I can happily spend a whole day just reading, collecting, and associating. ‘What is involved in this subject?’ Or ‘which period is this and what stories are associated with it?’ Different images then appear in my mind. And only then do I start sketching.”
“I also see hooks everywhere. When I go for a walk, read something, or just scroll around, something always resonates. Something I can use or bend to my will. That’s just how I am. My father is also creative. He really looks at the world in a completely different way. And I think that’s what I do too.”
To struggle or to work hard
His craft is beautiful, but sometimes also a struggle. “There are days when nothing comes out of my head and hands. That I just keep trying, stacking, and erasing. Then it helps that my girlfriend is also graphic. We have the same profession. It's nice to be able to throw it on the table and brainstorm with someone about it, instead of just in my own head. Suddenly there's a click. That moment when you think: this is it, now I've got it. From that point, everything basically falls into place naturally.”
In his first sketches for the TURF sneaker, he explored just about everything. Historical references, associations with the night and technology, the NAC roots of FAWL, the energy of electronic music, and experimentation… “Then you start framing. What can nicely click together? Because ultimately you want a good story that also translates well into material, colour, and details. In the list with the Turfschip, everything came together in that regard.”
TURF is back!
TURF takes place annually in November. It is the event in Breda where music, technology, and creativity come together, with a mix of live acts, art installations, and interactive tech expos - providing a platform for both local and international creators. The Sint Annastraat played a main role in the 2025 edition as the ‘makers street’.
“And that’s basically what it is,” says Sebastian. “Here you find the small studios, workshops, and creative entrepreneurs – and it all comes together here. The reason I started working with TURF was through Yorick, a creative catalyst in the city. I already knew him, he knew my work, and that's how it goes here: someone gives you a chance, you take it, and together you create something awesome.”
TURF brings that creative undercurrent to the surface. And it’s infectious. “It fuels innovation because it inspires others to also start creating. To just go for it and see what happens. That’s how you keep the creativity in the city alive, and that’s super important. Otherwise, it would just become a quiet and boring place.”
If there's passion involved, I'll be there
After the sneaker release during TURF 2025, Sebastian first took some deep breaths, then… simply continued with whatever came his way. “I don’t have a multi-year plan. As long as you’re doing what you enjoy, you’re on the right track, I think. His own label, Forever Never, is gradually taking shape. I want to do more with it. Prints, clothing, perhaps exhibitions… Just everything that feels like ‘me’. So: feel free to call me. If there’s passion involved, I’ll be there.”
forevernever.nl | @foreverneverstudio
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