The authors of our educational materials, Sanne and Jo, wanted to dedicate an entire learning kit to the artist Rose Eken. The result is 1:1 – Inspired by Rose Eken, developed with valuable input and support from Rose herself throughout the process. Rose Eken is one of Denmark’s most recognized contemporary artists and is already widely used as a source of inspiration in schools. Her artistic universe offers countless opportunities for students to explore creativity, observation, storytelling, and craftsmanship through hands-on making.

Working across sculpture, embroidery, miniature making, drawing, and video installation, Rose Eken creates worlds that feel familiar yet are never exact copies of reality. She plays with scale, proportion, and perspective, transforming ordinary objects and everyday scenes into something new and unexpected. A distinctive feature of Eken’s work is her recreation of everyday objects in glazed ceramics. Beer cans, cigarette butts, crumpled packaging, tape rolls, and other traces of daily life are carefully remade by hand. By turning overlooked objects into works of art, she encourages us to look closer at the world around us and discover value and stories in the ordinary.

Time, repetition, and process are central themes throughout Eken’s practice. Her work reflects the rhythm of making, the patience required to master a craft, and the importance of slowing down and paying attention. These themes connect closely with the values of Hands for Life, where working with clay encourages curiosity, concentration, reflection, and creative confidence.

Through this learning kit, students are invited to step into Rose Eken’s artistic universe, investigate the objects and environments that surround them, and create their own interpretations inspired by her approach. The activities encourage observation, experimentation, and personal expression while developing practical skills and an understanding of contemporary art.

Rose Eken holds a Bachelor of Art from Edinburgh College of Art and a Master of Art from the Royal College of Art in London. She lives and works in Copenhagen.

Photo: Freya Morales