Businessman to Artist
Having lived the life of a successful businessman enabled me to pursue this passion of creating and contributing towards the obscurity that is only possible in an artistic realm.
I was born and raised in Leuven, Belgium, a land known for its breweries and love for representing historical and contemporary artworks. Growing up in such a rich culture helped me in my pursuit to become a self-taught artist and take inspiration from the unconventional works of Murukami, Koons, and Joseph Klibansky.
Inceptively I opted for pixel art. Eventually, I pursued my love for clay modeling, which was everything I ever hoped for. These moments are when I am most content, completely absorbed in creation. Time seems to slip away, and I become unaware of the world around me, lost in the joy of sculpting.
Source of Inspiration
My artwork represents the dilemmas I faced in my life: to choose a career of my liking or become a part of a capitalist structure cut out to ensure a secure bank balance. The sphere panels ought to reveal my obsession with the music industry. Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Kurt Cobain, and several others had me convinced to make it as a DJ. But destiny had different plans.
Initial Spark
The journey of each piece that I sculpt begins as I have my moments of epiphany and see the artwork clearly in my mind, an inspiration to bring to life by my hands and losing myself in the process of sculpting the model to reflect the imagery in my head. It’s a process that brings immense satisfaction, both during the process and when it’s completed. Mostly explored during nocturnal wanderings, these hints of unusually colorful creations exhibit the power to express feelings when they are certainly unable to do so.
The Zest of Creating
Each sculpture I create is born from this blend of inspiration and hands-on craftsmanship. It’s a process that brings immense satisfaction, from the initial spark of an idea to the final, tangible piece. The days spent in my studio, surrounded by clay and tools, are some of my happiest. They are a testament to my dedication and love for my art. Through my work, I aim to share a piece of that joy and inspiration with others, hoping to evoke similar feelings in those who view my sculptures.
The Universe and You
Mystery is not one of the possibilities of reality. The mystery is essential for reality to exist. Nature loves to hide her secrets. These surrealistic cartoonesque sculptures are an open invitation to meditate on the riddles of life. And as we’re born from it, the universe has its mystery bound to its core, which we explore as soon as we gain consciousness. One of my very first pieces of sculpture showed a newborn infant with delicate fingers pointing to the sky like a curious explorer striving to unravel the mysteries of the world. The baby resembled a newborn with an insatiable need for knowledge.
With “Music of the Spheres,” my vision was realized after many hours and weeks of hard work. The infant stood there as a representation of humanity’s need for a cosmic connection.
Self Reflection in Models
My artwork represents my most inner thoughts as a reflection of nature – the one constantly changing yet upholding its roots in the most precarious ways.
Recognizing our inherent free will to choose our own path without being limited by our background or external influences is something that almost everyone fails to achieve in their lifetime and ends up dying miserable. “Gnoti Seauton” is a model that embodies self-awareness. But it’s more than just introspection. Everyone feels differently when they view my work and they are entitled to their feelings, which is exactly what this piece aims at the power of persistence and self-expression.
Another aspect of observing oneself is recognising which parts are feasible to openly flaunt while hiding your true self from everyone and at times from yourself. “Manga Obscura” represents the darkness deep within that they feel needs to be locked away.
Inspirations to Interpretations
Surrealism and metaphysical interpretations are the true sources of my inspiration that best explain the artwork and why I chose to do this. My artworks resemble cartoonish surrealism. Surrealistic because they mimic an impromptu thought or an unseen reality, and cartoonish because they encapsulate the spirit of the current period. Visible reality is made visible through surrealism. Together, the image and the words explore the depths of the unseen reality that surrounds us to unravel its mystery, akin to two traveling companions.
My art is a call to action to come along and enjoy this adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a process that brings immense satisfaction, from the initial spark of an idea to the final, tangible piece. The days spent in my studio, surrounded by clay and tools, are some of my happiest. They are a testament to my dedication and love for my art. Through my work, I aim to share a piece of that joy and inspiration with others, hoping to evoke similar feelings in those who view my sculptures.
It depends on each piece I create. Some of my work requires extra time to grow in my mind, sometimes up to 12 months before I put it into a physical form with my hands. Several weeks later, model the idea, which is often vibrant and colorful or finished with a striking silver or gold touch.
Through my work, I aim to share a piece of that joy and inspiration with others, hoping to evoke similar feelings in those who view my sculptures. For me, art is more than a profession; it is a blissful journey that allows me to express my creativity and passion fully.