Step into a world where art and nostalgia collide at Voorlinden Museum, as Dutch artist Simone Post transforms childhood memories into a dreamlike landscape made entirely of candy. “Sweet Memories,” on display from April 5 to August 31, 2025, is an immersive installation that reimagines Simone Post’s childhood home using meringues, candy strips, and confectionery chains. A multi-sensory experience, the exhibition is a feast for the eyes, nose, and imagination, transporting visitors to a time of innocence, creativity, and wonder.
Simone Post, "Sweet Memories," Voorlinden Museum. Photography by Titia Hahne.
The Architecture of Nostalgia
Drawing from personal history, Simone Post reconstructs the home of her early years, a space filled with cherished objects, from plush toys to bunk beds and her mother’s sewing studio. Every detail, from the carpet to the washing machine, is crafted from sugar-based materials, creating an environment that is both familiar and fantastical. Candy bacon strips weave through furniture, marshmallows form kitchen surfaces, and a gentle whim of candy sewing machines fills the air.
“Using sweets, I recreated the house in which I lived as a three-year-old,” says Simone Post. “To me, that is the perfect age; as a toddler, you feel free and safe, unashamed, and the world remains one great mystery to be discovered.”
Simone Post, "Sweet Memories," Voorlinden Museum. Photography by Titia Hahne.
A Playful Reflection on Abundance
While “Sweet Memories” reminds us of childlike joy, it also reflects on the tension between desire and excess, innocence and indulgence. The irresistible appeal of the candy-laden home is counterbalanced by the reality that such an environment, in all its sweetness, is ultimately unsustainable.
Barbara Bos, head of exhibitions at Voorlinden, notes, “Simone Post’s installation is a playful and critical reflection on our desire for more in a world full of excess.”
From Eindhoven to International Acclaim
Simone Post is represented by Rademakers Gallery, a leading platform for contemporary art and design that champions innovative, material-driven artists. Her collaboration with the gallery has brought her work to a broader audience, further establishing her position in the international art and design scene.
A graduate of the prestigious Design Academy Eindhoven, Simone Post (b. 1990) is known for her innovative use of materials and patterns. Her work has earned her international recognition, including awards such as the Dutch Design Award and Domotex Best Studio Artist Design. Her creations are held in collections worldwide, from the Vitra Design Museum in Germany to the Cooper Hewitt in New York, and she has collaborated with leading brands like Vlisco, Hermès, and Adidas. “Sweet Memories” marks yet another milestone in her evolving artistic practice.
Simone Post, "Sweet Memories," Voorlinden Museum. Photography by Titia Hahne.
A Confectionery Wonderland
The scale of Post’s sugary endeavour is as impressive as its concept. The installation required 700 kilograms of sweets, including over 100,000 candied bacon strips, 30,000 sweet-and-sour UFOs, and more than 1,000 candy chains. Every element is a replica of her childhood home, down to the books on the shelf and the beloved plush toys recreated in edible form. Visitors are welcomed by a toy chest filled with sweet sculptures, while the sounds of a running washing machine and a dreamy music box complete the immersive atmosphere.
Suzanne Swarts, director of Voorlinden, summed up the core of this installation: “Simone Post lets you drift away into the sweet, seductively innocent world of a child, far away from the complex world in which you find yourself as an adult.”
Simone Post, "Sweet Memories," Voorlinden Museum. Photography by Titia Hahne.
“Sweet Memories” is more than just an exhibition, it is a chance to step back into the wonder of childhood while reflecting on the bittersweet pull of nostalgia. Whether you are charmed by the playful, candy-filled world or find yourself thinking about the deeper meaning behind it, you are sure to leave with a taste of wonder.
Everyone interested in exploring more of Simone Post’s creations is welcome to visit Rademakers Gallery in person or see more on rademakersgallery.com.
Article by Martyna Szpilka
