Smiley
Maria Roosen
‘We rely on this emoticon constantly to set the tone in a text, alongside an image, or even on its own as a moment of pure happiness. The bright yellow, round, stylised Smiley – as it was called from the very beginning – has been part of popular culture since the 1950s,’ forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort writes in her new column. For the new year, artist Maria Roosen has reimagined this iconic emoticon. Discover her infectious smileys in a range of colours in this Art Room.
Fig 1.
Maria Roosen, Smileys, 2025
‘Each morning, the Smiley helps us to see the good in the day ahead. The substance of molten glass is like a glossy dough, radiating energy out into the world. Its weight feels significant, and the ribbons offer their own commentary through patterns and stripes; suddenly, a Smiley becomes ethnic, graphic, or comic. Scale and execution elevate the emoticon into small-scale visual art.’
Fig 2.
Maria Roosen in her studio, 2025 | photo: Paul Kooiker
Fig 3.
Maria Roosen, Smiley | foto: Sander Luske
Fig 4.
Maria Roosen in her studio, 2025 | photo: Paul Kooiker
‘I initially made this Jewel for myself, to wear. But I soon noticed how many reactions it sparked: to its colour and form, but also to what the piece radiates. It connects with others and feels supportive, almost like an alter ego.’
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