Philip
Koomen

Philip Koomen’s furniture is a lifelong enquiry of, and a creative response to, the interconnectedness between craftsmanship, design and sculpture explored through the lens of the Bahai Teachings. He approaches the creative process as a form of applied spirituality, with humility and curiosity: “The organic vitality of his designs reveals the oneness and humanity of his creative approach.”Professor Simon Olding, Director Crafts Study Centre, Farnham. His designs reflect a purity and simplicity of form that celebrates the beauty of wood combined with contemporary elegance. His work has been described as: “absolutely beautiful” (Channel 4); “organic and wildly eccentric” (The Independent) and “elegant asymmetry, irresistible edginess … props for meditation…” (Dr Reg Winfield, Design Historian). Philip’s practice began in 1975. He holds a PhD in Sustainable Furniture Design (Brunel University, UK); is Life Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Visiting Research Fellow at the Open University. Philip lives near Oxford, UK, with his wife Esmyr. They have two children, Jonneke and Jody and two grandchildren, Maya and Layli.