TURF showcases Breda’s local makers
Especially for TURF, he is working these weeks, commissioned by FAWL (@fawlcustoms), on the design of a custom sneaker. Inspired by one of the local Bredase legends: the trick with the Turf ship.
“I used to walk past that small statue on the City Square, ‘the Little Ship’. It’s an ode to that trick, which eventually freed our city from Spanish rule. In a half-leaking boat, during carnival. The ingenuity and courage to just do it — that’s what that story is about for me. And that’s still what makes Breda what it is. There’s so 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 ‘by choice’ resident of Breda. “It’s open, social, and warm here. The old town centre is beautiful, and I love that the city keeps greening itself. More greenery equals more peace of mind. And we all need that. Also, cool about Breda: all the stories this city has to tell. This city has been through so much. Recently, I visited the Stedelijk Museum, for an exhibition by Blind Walls Gallery about Boschstraat. It’s amazing what has happened in just a small part of the city.”
You can probably kick a little, but it does have to be about something worthwhile
History is definitely his thing. He describes himself as an ‘explorative designer’: “I like to dive into the context and history of things first – I can happily spend a day just reading, collecting, and associating. ‘What belongs to this subject?’ or ‘which period is this and what stories are associated with it?’ Then all sorts of images appear in my mind. And only then do I start sketching.”
“I also see hooks everywhere. When I walk outside, read something, or just scroll for a bit, something always sticks. Something I can use or transform. That’s just how I am. My father is also creative. He looks at the world from a completely different perspective. And I think I do too.”
Struggling
His craft is beautiful, but sometimes also about persevering. “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 only in my own head. Suddenly there’s a click. One of those moments when you think: this is it, now I’ve got it. From that point on, everything basically flows 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 to frame it. What can click together nicely? Because ultimately, you want a good story, that also translates well into material, colour, and details. Everything came together in the list with the Turfschip.”
TURF is back!
TURF takes place from 27th to 29th November. It is the event in Breda where music, technology, and creativity come together, featuring a mixture of live acts, art installations, and interactive tech expos - with a stage for both local and international creators. The Sint Annastraat plays a main role this year as a ‘makers street’.
“And that's actually what it's all about,” says Sebastian. “Here you find the small studios, ateliers, and creative entrepreneurs – and it all comes together here. The fact that I now get to work on TURF is thanks to Yorick, a creative catalyst in the city. I knew him already, he knew my work, and that’s how it works here: someone gives you a chance, you grab it, and together you create something amazing.”
TURF brings that creative undercurrent to the surface. And that is contagious. “It fuels innovation because it inspires others to start making too. To simply go for it and see what happens. This is how you keep creativity alive in the city, and that’s super important. Otherwise, it just becomes a quiet and dull place.”
If there's passion involved, I'll be there
After the sneaker release during TURF, Sebastian first takes a deep breath before… simply continuing with whatever comes his way. "I don't have a multi-year plan. As long as you're doing what you enjoy, I think you're on the right track. His own label, Forever Never, is gradually taking shape. I want to do more with that. Prints, clothing, maybe exhibitions… Just everything that feels like ‘me’. So: feel free to call me. If there's passion involved, I’ll be there.”