Born in Apeldoorn on May 3, 1986, Maurice was drawn to science from an early age, driven by a desire to understand the world and help others. After completing high school in 2003, he trained as a Medical Laboratory Analyst, completing internships at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in toxicology and parasitology. He graduated in 2007 as a licensed analyst, but a growing interest in visual communication and creative expression led him in a new direction.

Later that same year, Maurice made a bold transition by enrolling in Interactive Media Design at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague (KABK). There, he discovered how to fuse his scientific background with design and photography. He graduated best in class in 2011 with Photodispatch, a streamlined online photo publishing service that delivered images in under 60 seconds, marking his first major step in blending technology and storytelling.

Over the years, Maurice built a diverse portfolio, working on commercial campaigns and editorial assignments for global brands such as Adidas, Microsoft, Grolsch, Spotify, Playboy, and T-Mobile. His work, which spans advertising, portraiture, architecture, events, and documentary-style photography, is known for its clarity, creativity, and conceptual depth.

In 2015, Maurice returned to his scientific roots with Micrograph Stories, a personal project that explores the hidden structures of everyday substances, including painkillers, food additives, illicit drugs, and even human tears, through microscopy. This work aims to reveal the unseen beauty and complexity of the materials we often overlook.

From that project emerged one of Maurice’s most recognized series: Imaginarium of Tears. What began with a single tear evolved into a global exploration of human emotion, capturing tears from individuals experiencing joy, grief, frustration, and relief. Each tear, when crystallized under a microscope, forms a unique pattern, “a frozen moment of emotion”. The project has been featured in Wired, National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Business Insider, and other international platforms, solidifying his place in contemporary art.

Continuing to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, Maurice developed The Centrifuge Camera, a custom-built imaging system that captures real-time footage from inside a laboratory centrifuge. By embedding a high-resolution camera and lighting into the spinning rotor, he visualizes the beauty of scientific separation at up to 5000 times the force of gravity. The project offers a rare glimpse into the dynamic processes behind blood analysis, food emulsions, and more.

Currently, Maurice is further developing The Centrifuge Camera in collaboration with TU Delft, where he works as a technical research assistant. His work there combines scientific research, engineering, and artistic experimentation, continuing his mission to visualize the invisible and communicate complex ideas in accessible, engaging ways.

Whether collaborating with brands, institutions, or pursuing self-initiated projects, Maurice Mikkers remains dedicated to helping people see the world differently, through science, through storytelling, and through the lens of a camera.

Let’s create something meaningful together.