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Slightly obsessed with art
Christian Ibink, Founder & Artist - MAIM Amsterdam
FROM STUDENT TO SUSTAINABLE PIONEER
It all started during his student years, when there was no budget for art. Christian Ibink wanted something beautiful on his wall but couldn’t afford it, and refused to settle for a standard IKEA poster.
So he made something himself. As a joke, he brought the little canvas to a gin & tonic bar in De Foodhallen. A few drinks and a good conversation later, he spontaneously sold it to a local dentist.
He used the proceeds to pay his bill, and knew instantly: this wasn’t just a lucky moment.
It was the start of something bigger. Art, he realized, could be a weapon, to challenge, to inspire, and to tell the story of a more sustainable world.
Known by:
Transforming old solar panels into unique art pieces
Mission Toward Zero
At MAIM, i don’t just create art — we repurpose a problem.
Christian never started creating art to decorate walls — he started to tell a story.
A story about how we produce, consume, waste and value materials. A story about a world that moves too fast, and a system that treats objects as disposable.
That is why he began searching for materials with history, scars, energy and meaning.
That search led him to discarded solar panels:
symbols of progress, yet one of the fastest-growing waste streams of our time.
Where most people see a problem, Christian saw potential.
He saw texture, depth, weathered patterns and a narrative that deserved a second life.
By transforming old solar panels into layered, high-gloss artworks, he turns an invisible waste issue into a visible conversation.
For Christian, art is not the end product — it’s the medium.
The medium to raise awareness, spark dialogue and challenge us to rethink how we treat the materials that shape our world.
MAIM stands for "My Art Is Mine," reflecting the idea that art matches one's personality, drive, and ambitions.
Today, MAIM (My Art Is Mine) is known as a pioneer in circular art. What began as a canvas and a clever idea has grown into a collection of unique artworks, entirely created using discarded solar panels. The Amsterdam-based artist now collaborates with leading names such as AFAS, Sunrock, RODA JC, Technolution, the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, and the influential Founders Carbon Network, where the top 500 companies of the Netherlands connect. The brand also successfully partnered with Circl (ABN AMRO) for a past exhibition.
Transforming old solar panels into unique art pieces
Mission Toward Zero
At MAIM, i don’t just create art — we repurpose a problem.
By transforming discarded solar panels into powerful visual statements, we highlight the urgent need for circular solutions.
We actively collaborate with companies, municipalities and government bodies to address the growing solar waste challenge and to give materials a second life — through art, awareness, and action.
Transforming old solar panels into unique art pieces
''With my artwork, we aim to encourage innovative thinking. It serves as a daily reminder to change our mindset regarding methods of production and consumption, challenging the status quo.''
Inspire a global movement
My story
In the heart of Amsterdam, where the canals reflect centuries of history, a new kind of art label has emerged, MAIM Amsterdam. But MAIM isn’t your typical art brand. It’s a label created by artist Christian Ibink, who uses his art to tell a much bigger story, one that begins and ends with nature.
For Christian, nature isn’t just an inspiration, it’s his lifeline. Through MAIM, he channels his creative vision into a mission: to contribute to the sustainable conservation of our planet through art. His works draw from the raw beauty of our world , from the icy silence of Iceland’s glaciers to the warm hues of the Sahel desert — translating these landscapes into powerful visual experiences for your living or working space.
Every artwork is made by Christian Ibink himself, yet he chooses to present his creations under the name MAIM Amsterdam. The reason is simple but profound: Christian believes that art should be appreciated for what it communicates, not for who signs it.
That’s why MAIM, which stands for “My Art Is Mine,” isn’t just a label, but a philosophy. When you choose MAIM, you’re not buying “a Christian Ibink artwork”; you’re acquiring a piece that resonates with your personality, vision, and values.
Each MAIM artwork is a complex composition of multiple layers and materials, sealed with a thin layer of MAIM’s signature high-tech gloss, a fusion of precision and emotion reminiscent of artistic masters like Picasso and Rembrandt.
But beyond technique lies a deeper purpose. Through MAIM, Christian seeks to show the world that sustainability and beauty can coexist. His works act as silent messengers, reminding us to value the planet and to take responsibility for its future.
When you bring a MAIM artwork into your space, you’re not just decorating, you’re joining a movement.
A movement that turns waste into wonder, and art into action.
Your wall becomes a window into a more sustainable world, one where creativity, nature, and consciousness merge into one.
Christian Ibink - Founder & Artist
Christian Ibink, Founder & Artist MAIM Amsterdam
At MAIM, i don’t just create art — we repurpose a problem. By transforming discarded solar panels into powerful visual statements, we highlight the urgent need for circular solutions. We actively collaborate with municipalities and government bodies to address the growing solar waste challenge and to give materials a second life — through art, awareness, and action.
Additionally, we foster conversations about the future and sustainable dialogues. Our mission is to ignite a spark of innovation within you.
My art isn't just beautiful; it's a daily call to action, serving as a conversation starter, a catalyst for change, and a bridge to a more sustainable future.
Contact
+ 31 6 514 75 138
Info@maimamsterdam.com
