WILFRED STIJGER
International Sculptor · Artist · Inventor
Sand · Ice · Snow Sculpture · Concrete · Painting · 3D Design · Digital & Mixed Reality
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Wilfred Stijger is a Dutch multidisciplinary artist, professional sculptor and inventor with more than three decades of international experience.
Since beginning his professional career in 1989, Wilfred has worked extensively with sand, ice and snow, developing a distinctive approach that combines traditional craftsmanship with technical innovation, 3D design and digital fabrication.
His work has been presented internationally through competitions, exhibitions, television programmes, commissions and large-scale sculpture projects.
Alongside his artistic practice, Wilfred develops specialized sculpting tools, techniques and digital solutions for artists. His current work includes SculptAid, exploring the connection between traditional sculpture, 3D modelling, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1989 — Professional sculpting career begins.
2010 — Development of the Willysphere / Sandshaper, an innovative tool concept for sand sculpting.
2012 — Development of the Ice Spider, a specialized tool and technique for ice sculpting.
2021 — Designed and coordinated the construction of the World’s Tallest Sandcastle in Blokhus, Denmark, reaching 21.16 metres and setting a Guinness World Record.
2022 — Participated in Race Against the Tide, Canada.
2025 — Participated in Het Blok, Grave, the Netherlands.
2025 — 1st Prize, Cristal Classic, Virginia Beach, USA · Doubles · Sculptors’ Choice.
AWARDS & COMPETITION RESULTS
1st Prize
2025 — Cristal Classic, USA · Doubles · Sculptors’ Choice
2009 — Switzerland
2007 — Søndervig, Denmark · Solo
2007 — Rorschach, Switzerland · Team
2006 — Søndervig, Denmark · Solo
2006 — Vinaròs, Spain · Solo
2005 — Scheveningen, Netherlands · Team · Artist’s Choice
2001 — Scheveningen, Netherlands · Solo
2001 — Luliang, China · Best Colour Award
1998 — Scheveningen, Netherlands · Team
2nd Prize
2012 — Switzerland · Audience Award
2009 — Het Beste Idee van Nederland
2008 — Virginia Beach, USA
2001 — Shanghai, China
3rd Prize
2007 — World Championship, Canada · Team
2007 — Virginia Beach / San Diego, USA · Team
2006 — World Championship, Canada · Solo
2000 — San Diego, USA · Solo
1999 — Scheveningen, Netherlands · Team
WORLD RECORD
World’s Tallest Sandcastle — 2021
Blokhus, Denmark
Designed and coordinated the construction of the world’s tallest sandcastle.
The monumental sand structure reached 21.16 metres in height and achieved a Guinness World Record. the sculpture was removed in 2026!
TELEVISION & MEDIA
Het Beste Idee van Nederland
Participated in the Dutch television programme with the Willysphere invention and achieved 2nd Prize.
De IJsmeesters
Participated as a professional ice sculptor in the Dutch television programme De IJsmeesters.
Race Against the Tide
Canada · 2022
Participated as a professional sand sculptor in the international television competition series Race Against the Tide.
Het Blok
Netherlands · 2025
Participated in the Dutch renovation and design programme Het Blok, combining artistic design, craftsmanship and large-scale creative construction.
STIJGERART MINIATURE SAND SCULPTURE EXHIBITION
Pieterburen, Netherlands
Founder and organizer of the StijgerArt Miniature Sand Sculpture Exhibition, presenting miniature sand sculptures and introducing visitors to the art, techniques and possibilities of sand sculpture.
The exhibition brings professional sand sculpture closer to the public and showcases the craftsmanship behind this unique art form.
ARTISTIC PRACTICE
Sand Sculpture
Large-scale and detailed sand sculpture, ranging from international competition pieces to monumental architectural installations.
Ice Sculpture
Professional ice sculpting, specialized tools and innovative sculpting techniques.
Snow Sculpture
Large-scale snow sculpture and international snow sculpting projects.
3D Design & Digital Fabrication
3D modelling, CNC and digital production techniques applied to sculpture and artistic projects.
Digital & Mixed Reality
Exploration of new technologies connecting traditional sculpture with 3D visualization, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality.
INVENTIONS & INNOVATION
Willysphere / Sandshaper — 2010
Development of an innovative tool concept designed to improve efficiency and possibilities in professional sand sculpting.
Ice Spider — 2012
Development of a specialized tool and technique for professional ice sculpting.
Wilfred’s approach to tool development combines practical experience from professional sculpture with mechanical and technical innovation.
SCULPTAID
Digital Tools for the Future of Sculpting
SculptAid is Wilfred Stijger’s ongoing development project exploring the intersection between physical sculpture and digital technology.
The project focuses on 3D models, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality, helping sculptors visualize and position digital forms within their physical sculpting environment.
SculptAid represents the next step in Wilfred’s continuing development from traditional craftsmanship towards digitally assisted sculpture.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Wilfred Stijger has participated in sculpture competitions, symposiums, exhibitions and commissioned projects across Europe, North America and Asia.
His international career includes work in countries such as:
Netherlands · Belgium · Denmark · Germany · Switzerland · France · Spain · Portugal · Finland · Sweden · Austria · Italy · Canada · United States · China · Japan · South Korea · Australia
SELECTED CAREER TIMELINE
1989 — Professional sculpting career begins
1998 — 1st Prize, Scheveningen · Team
1999 — 3rd Prize, Scheveningen · Team
2000 — 3rd Prize, San Diego · Solo
2001 — 1st Prize, Scheveningen · Solo
2001 — 1st Prize, Luliang, China · Best Colour Award
2001 — 2nd Prize, Shanghai, China
2005 — 1st Prize, Scheveningen · Artist’s Choice
2006 — 1st Prize, Søndervig · Solo
2006 — 1st Prize, Vinaròs · Solo
2006 — 3rd Prize, World Championship Canada · Solo
2007 — 1st Prize, Søndervig · Solo
2007 — 1st Prize, Rorschach · Team
2007 — 3rd Prize, World Championship Canada · Team
2008 — 2nd Prize, Virginia Beach
2009 — 1st Prize, Switzerland
2009 — 2nd Prize, Het Beste Idee van Nederland
2010 — Willysphere / Sandshaper developed
2012 — Ice Spider developed
2012 — 2nd Prize, Switzerland · Audience Award
2021 — World’s Tallest Sandcastle, Blokhus · 21.16 m · Guinness World Record
2022 — Race Against the Tide, Canada
2025 — Het Blok, Netherlands
2025 — 1st Prize, Cristal Classic, USA · Doubles · Sculptors’ Choice
Present — StijgerArt Miniature Sand Sculpture Exhibition
Present — SculptAid development
ARTISTIC VISION
Wilfred Stijger’s work is driven by a continuous search for new ways to shape, construct and experience sculpture.
His practice combines craftsmanship, engineering, creativity and technology, with a particular fascination for temporary materials and large-scale sculptural environments.
From a block of sand, ice or snow to a digitally designed sculpture, the goal remains the same: