Maarten Sundermann

Maarten J.N.W. Sündermann (born February 03, 1983, in Tiel, The Netherlands) is an internationally acclaimed Dutch artist, filmmaker and photographer known for his creative contributions to contemporary visual arts. His artistic practice, deeply influenced by film and theatre, is characterized by an interplay of detail, unconventional composition, and surrealism—elements that define his signature style.

Early Life and Education

Sündermann grew up in Tiel, a village near Amsterdam, and is of Dutch descent. He attended De Moespot and later Lingecollege. In 2001, he pursued studies in Philosophy and Law at Leiden University. In 2018, he studied filmmaking at the New York Film Academy. He holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Directing from the New York Film Academy, where he was mentored by Hollywood veterans, including producers behind "Ali," "Star Trek" (Adam Nimoy), and "The Thomas Crown Affair." He was awarded a prestigious film scholarship by Brett Ratner via his production company known for "The Revenant," "X-Men The Last Stand," and "Prison Break," further cementing his foundation in storytelling and visual composition. After completing his MFA, he began his career as a personal assistant to Director Roman Coppola and the Coppola family at The Directors Bureau and American Zoetrope.

Career

Sündermann's work has garnered global recognition, earning over 68 prestigious awards for creativity, including the Gold Lion at Cannes, Shots, Clio, D&AD, One Show, Ciclope, Arrows, and Effies.

His collaborations span a roster of cultural icons, including A$AP Rocky, Tilda Swinton, Iris van Herpen, Sigur Rós, Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Ewan McGregor, Robyn and Sylvester Stallone. His projects transcend traditional media, blending art, design, and cultural discourse. Beyond his own artistic practice, Sündermann co-founded the artist collective Valtenyn & Sündermann with actor and photographer Noah Valentyn in 2008. This collaboration began in New York and blossomed in their concept studio, focusing on images and storytelling through photography. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Sündermann served as the Head of Film Craft & Directors at Media.Monks, where he developed over 180 film projects, working with the company's offices across 32 countries.

Maarten Sündermann is the founder of LCLS, an award-winning contemporary artist collective based collective in Mallorca and Amsterdam. The collective is dedicated to developing ambitious art projects, discovering emerging talents, and fostering creativity on a global scale. Positioned as a creative platform for the next generation of innovative artists, LCLS’s mission: Enrich the World with Creativity.

LCLS has gained significant recognition for its contributions to contemporary art. The collective operates as an art marketplace, allowing collectors to collaborate with emerging artists before they reach major sales platforms. Through its strong presence on social media platforms such as LCLS Instagram, they have built a large and engaged following, regularly sharing creative content and showcasing the work of its affiliated artists. The collective continues to expand its influence by collaborating with cultural icons and prestigious institutions worldwide.

Personal Life

Sündermann currently resides and works between Palma de Mallorca and Amsterdam. He is married and has three children. His close friends call him Sunny.