London

Dennis Wissink

Coppersmith | Silvolde, Netherlands

Copper brought to light

Dennis designs and makes durable objects from non-ferrous metals
He comes from four generations of metalworkers and learnt his craft from his father
Since 2018, his chandeliers have been hanging in Eindhoven Central Station

Dennis Wissink is a coppersmith who crafts interior pieces, including lamps, lanterns and decorative items from copper, brass and zinc using traditional techniques. Dennis grew up in a region with a rich metalworking history and soils abundant in iron ore. Coming from a family of four generations of metalworkers, he began making his first pieces in his father’s workshop as a child. “I was around five when I first became aware of what my father was doing. I was so small that my eyes were still below the height of the workbench, so I had to stand on my toes to peek. All the shiny pieces of copper and brass sparked my curiosity,” Dennis says. "I developed my skills through hands-on learning and inherited knowledge, which is why I am driven by a deep respect for craftsmanship." At his coppersmithing workshop, one of the last in the country, he creates pieces that honour the past and are built to last.

Interview

What was the first piece you ever made?: I made a toy car using scrap metal in my dad’s workshop when I was about 10 years old. Even though it has dents and sharp edges, it is clear that I was trying my best. My dad kept it for years. When a TV crew came to visit and film at my workshop, he reminded me of this creation and told me to show it to them. I now keep it in my workshop.
What was the most memorable piece you ever made?: The most memorable project I worked on was making brass chandeliers for the entrance hall of Central Station in Eindhoven in 2018. They wanted to renovate the interior of the monumental post-war building, but because of its protected status, every change had to honour its history. I made three new chandeliers, each five metres high.
What has been a career highlight for you?: I moved into my new workshop in 2022. It is one street away from my first workshop, which was at my house, in a room that measured 40 square metres. Now, I have 400 square metres to work in, which feels like a life-changing opportunity and a massive leap forward for my work.
What inspires you?: My practice is about creating objects that last, with attention to detail and respect for traditional techniques. We live in a time of fast production, mass consumption and disposability. I want to make things that mean something, pieces that people value enough to repair, rather than discard. When something holds meaning, people might care enough to fix it in 10, 50 or even 100 years from now.

Dennis Wissink is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2005