Hi, I'm Romanie, a contemporary artist based in the Netherlands, working primarily with steel. My practice explores form, tension, and spatial presence through natural, rounded forms.
Natural Forms in Motion
Natural, rounded shapes form the starting point of my work. Curves, flow, and balance guide each piece, allowing the sculptures to feel in motion even when they are still. These forms reflect organic rhythms found in nature, translated into a sculptural language of tension and calm.
Steel as a Challenging Material
Steel is a demanding yet deeply rewarding material. It resists, pushes back, and requires precision and patience. Its strength allows for bold gestures, while its rigidity demands respect. This tension between control and resistance is what makes steel both difficult and beautiful to work with.
Polishing and Reflection
Many assume the surfaces are chromed, but the reflective quality is achieved entirely through polishing. Layer by layer, the steel is refined until it begins to mirror its surroundings. This process transforms the material, revealing depth, light, and reflection without adding anything beyond the steel itself.
About the Artist
Based in the Netherlands, I work as a contemporary artist with a focus on steel sculptures. I was trained under the mentorship of Ronald A. Westerhuis and am part of his studio team, where craftsmanship, precision, and material knowledge play a central role. My practice is driven by curiosity and a hands-on approach, creating works that explore form, tension, and spatial presence through steel.
Working with metal allows me to transform strength into elegance. Its beauty emerges through patience, pressure, and precision
Romanie Braun
Contemporary Artist
My Process
1. Idea
Each work begins with an intuitive idea, often inspired by natural, rounded forms and the way objects interact with space. These early concepts focus on balance, movement, and the emotional presence a sculpture can create.
2. Form
The initial idea is developed into a clear form. Curves, proportions, and lines are carefully shaped, allowing the sculpture to find its visual rhythm while maintaining a sense of tension and flow.
3. Test & Tension
Through prototypes and scale models, balance and structural tension are tested. This phase allows adjustments to be made, refining both stability and expression before moving into the final material.
4. Welded Structure
The sculpture is constructed by welding individual steel elements together. Precision and craftsmanship are essential, as the strength of the material defines the final structure and its spatial presence.
5. Refined Surface
The final stage is an intensive polishing process. Layer by layer, the steel surface is refined until it becomes highly reflective, revealing depth and light without the use of coatings or chrome. From the initial idea to the finished work, each sculpture takes approximately three to six months to complete.
Presence shapes what is seen.
Studio RAW
www.ronaldawesterhuis.com
Koelwaterhal
www.koelwaterhal.nl