From a young age, Tomas Schats has been passionate about creativity and sharing his ideas with the world. The starting point of his creative journey began at the Graphic Lyceum in Eindhoven, providing a solid foundation for his artistic skills. He continued his education at the Academy in Den Bosch (now known as St. Joost) and graduated in 2002, clearly marking a path of dedication to his art.

Schats is characterized by illustrations that are simple, with clean lines and minimal use of colors. Don’t be mistaken: simplicity doesn’t mean superficial, as his works always carry a deeper message. Tomas’s animation work can be admired with renowned names such as NRC and VPRO. For these companies, he sometimes steps away from his traditional simplicity and adds color to give his drawings more substance.

Approximately seven years ago, Tomas shifted his focus to spatial art, introducing a new dimension to his creativity. Some of his drawings called for a spatial translation because they didn’t fully come to life as flat illustrations. One of these translations is his work, the “Garbage Bin House,” a massive hybrid between a trash can and a house where visitors can dispose of their waste through the tilting roof. The “Garbage Bin House” will be exhibited at two notable events: Big Art in Rotterdam and the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven. The latter event has even selected his work for a prominent spot on Kethelplein.

The “Garbage Bin House” is a playful nod and critique of our disposable society. The artwork can be entered via a small staircase and functions as a real trash can. It combines two ideas in one go: art with a message and interaction designed to make visitors contemplate.