Maurik Stomps builds a mouse studio for nightly artworks

Artist Maurik Stomps has created a miniature mouse studio in his Rotterdam home, where mice produce daily paintings using non-toxic ink and peanut butter. The project emerged after his favorite restaurant, burgerrestaurant de Burgertrut, closed and the building was slated for redevelopment, displacing both the eatery and its resident mice. Stomps, who previously built a house on a bicycle to explore public space, now collaborates with the mice by placing a cardboard box with an ink reservoir and paper inside. The mice step through the ink, leaving tracks on the paper as they reach for a peanut butter reward. Stomps shares the results on Instagram under @maurik_stomps and encourages others to create their own mouse ateliers. The project reflects his broader practice of creating objects that alter his perception of the environment, allowing the object and maker to co-create.