One-of-a-kind art

About the artist

Merel Hanja was born on September 9, 1964, in Hilversum, a suburb of Amsterdam. From a very young age, even before reaching her teenage years, Merel displayed an innate passion for creating beautiful objects from whatever materials she could find.

As the daughter of entrepreneurial parents in the automotive industry, Merel often spent time in her father’s workshop. There, she witnessed the intricate process of restoring luxury cars and watched as her father meticulously hand-mixed specific paint colors. This exposure to craftsmanship and precision would later inspire her to pursue studies at the Art Academy in Utrecht.