Case Study: Artist Nick Ervinck achieves intricate, visionary 3D-printed sculptures with Materialise

Reimagining Reality Nick Ervinck’s Fantastic New Worlds

Artist Nick Ervinck creates hybrid virtual and hand-made sculptures that challenge perception, but his highly intricate, large-scale designs require advanced manufacturing to become physical works. To realize these complex pieces he turned to Materialise for 3D printing and engineering support, including laser sintering and Mammoth stereolithography, to translate digital constructions into tangible art.

Materialise produced landmark works for Nick Ervinck—such as GNIURKS_S, IKRAUSIM and the YARONULK basilica replica—using laser sintering for the exterior and Mammoth stereolithography for delicate interiors; the YARONULK model (over 100× reduced) was completed in one month versus the months another technology would have needed. Materialise’s technology and expertise delivered faster production, faithful reproduction of intricate geometry, and high-profile exposure in exhibitions in Shanghai, Antwerp’s Middelheim Museum and a solo show in Tongeren.

Nick Ervinck