Daniel de Belder is a Belgian artist celebrated for his mastery of woodworking. His studio is nestled within the historic botanical garden of Hemelrijk, on the border between Belgium and the Netherlands. Here, he transforms locally reclaimed wood into singular works of art, each piece carrying the legacy of his family’s horticultural and artisanal traditions. Inspired by the forms of nature, Daniel reveals the limitless possibilities hidden within wood’s grain and texture, offering a tribute to this living material.

Daniel’s creative journey began in childhood, shaped by moments of play and discovery in his family’s botanical garden. This early intimacy with nature nurtured a deep and lasting passion for both the natural world and artistic expression. His designs resist rigid planning, instead emerging through the flow of inspiration—sometimes sparked in an instant, other times unfolding over years. Each work evolves through careful adjustments, always with the aim of honoring wood’s rarity by minimizing waste. Staying true to ecological principles, he forgoes paints and sealants in favor of natural oils and beeswax that penetrate the fibers, preserving the wood’s tactile authenticity and natural sheen.

Rooted in the infinite beauty and diversity of nature, Daniel draws inspiration from the density and weight of the wood, the play of light and shadow, and the subtle traces of time. His works invite a sensory dialogue, reflecting a profound respect for both material and craft. Often creating outdoors, in every season and under every sky, he immerses himself fully in communion with nature. His artistic vision is deeply influenced by Japanese sculptor Isamu Noguchi, whose emphasis on materiality resonates in Daniel’s own practice—an exploration of freedom, form, and the boundless creativity of the natural world.