# Sculptural Mixed-Media Designs Nathalie Van der Massen and Karen Verlinden Create Folded Echoes By Amy Duong | Published 2025-07-10 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/folded-echoes References: [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DHIWsRYNIdv/?img_index=1)  Textile designer Nathalie Van der Massen works in collaboration with ceramic artist Karen Verlinden on the Folded Echoes series. The artful collection brings focus to the simple [folding of a paper](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fold-stool) and taking that from a flat surface into something that holds sculptural integrity and volume. The joint work highlights 17 mixed-media designs that are made for the intervention. It kicks off with [room dividers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plissade), which anchor the collection as a whole. It features woven linen constructions to paper yarns. It operates both as an art sculpture and a functional screen. Ceramics are seen in silhouettes, including the low table with a folded paper is sealed in clay. This seems to shift with the light conditions throughout the day. Image Credit: Karen Verlinden, Nathaie Van der Massen ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 39% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 45% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Mixed-media Artistic Collaborations:** The convergence of textile and ceramic artistry exemplifies the potential for cross-disciplinary partnerships in creating unique art forms. - **Functional Art Installations:** Blending utility with aesthetics, sculptures that double as functional objects, like room dividers, pave the way for multifunctional design innovations. - **Dynamic Light-responsive Art:** Creations that visually transform with changing light conditions demonstrate the evolving nature of art experiences in varying environments. ### Where This Applies - **Interior Design:** The integration of art and functionality in decor, such as sculptural room dividers, is reshaping traditional interior layouts and aesthetics. - **Contemporary Art:** Mixed-media sculptures that incorporate ceramics and textiles are pushing the boundaries of modern art expressions and gallery installations. - **Sustainable Design:** The use of materials like woven linens and paper yarns suggests an eco-friendly approach to design, responding to the growing demand for sustainable products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sculptural Paper Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fragmenti.md) - [Material-Centric Room Divider Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ren-series.md) - [Origami-Inspired Porcelain Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saori-matsushita.md) - [Origami-Inspired Ceramics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/origami-series.md) - [Sculptural Knitted Objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sculptural-knitted-objects.md) - [Intricate Site-Specific Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/folded-time.md) - [Modern Poertic Ceramics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virginia-sin.md) - [Intersecting Dimensional Art Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diorama.md) - [Human Embraced-Inspired Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wallmounted-sculpture.md)