Philia
Magazine

Jean-Baptiste Van den Heede is a Belgian cabinetmaker, sculptor, and designer whose work bridges traditional craftsmanship and contemporary artistic expression. Born in Argentina and raised in Belgium, he was introduced to woodworking at an early age through his family’s cabinetmaking workshop, developing a lifelong relationship with wood and artisanal making. His education spans carpentry, cabinetmaking, carving, furniture design, and sculpture, culminating in a degree in Sculpture from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Liège.

Now based near Madrid, Van den Heede creates furniture and sculptural works distinguished by their organic forms, symbolic language, and deep respect for natural materials. Working exclusively with native woods, he combines technical mastery with a highly personal artistic vision, drawing inspiration from ancient cultures, abstract signs, and the expressive possibilities of handcrafted objects. His work has been exhibited internationally and recognized for its unique balance of functionality, craftsmanship, and contemporary design.

Julie Nelson is a British ceramic artist whose practice explores the natural world through the expressive materiality of clay. Drawing inspiration from biology, botany, and landscape, she creates sculptural collections that investigate the patterns, rhythms, and subtle irregularities found in nature. Working in series, Nelson presents groups of objects that contrast and complement one another, revealing the interconnected relationships that exist within natural systems.

Rooted in an exploration of elemental forms, her work reflects themes of pattern, entropy, and transformation while celebrating the quiet complexity of the environment. Alongside her sculptural collections, projects such as Flock extend her practice into participatory installations, examining ideas of migration, identity, and collective experience through the gathering of individual forms.

Ciona Lee is a Korean-Italian artist and designer based in London whose practice focuses on hand-built ceramics and sculptural objects. Working primarily with clay, she creates organic forms inspired by nature and the human body, balancing simplicity, texture, and material expression.

Originally introduced to ceramics in Barcelona in 2016, Lee developed her practice through self-directed exploration. Often using neutral-toned clays and minimal glazing, her work celebrates the raw qualities of the material and the spontaneity of the hand-building process, resulting in unique pieces that embrace imperfection and individuality.