Jan De Vliegher is a Belgian artist born in 1964, based in Brugge. He has received recognition throughout Europe, and his work has been exhibited all over the continent. Facades and Statues is his forth exhibition in Sweden.
De Vliegher is a painter. Holding his brush, in what seems a distinctly light and loose manner, he applies the paint with skilful accuracy, bending every stroke to match his intentions. The result, a compilation of paint, form, light, shadows is in movement and perfect harmony. The well-defined and recognisable motives in this exhibition are found in Rome and the region of Tuscany.
De Vliegher is using the photographic imagery as a starting point in his work. However, the paintings are never the result of a wish to imitate, or mimic reality. The relationship between the notion of reality, painting, and the status of photography has been the topic of great discussions over centuries. Yet, in De Vliegher’s work reality seems as important as unavoidable, and an obvious source of inspiration. However based on familiar imagery, De Vliegher offers his own particular version of the scenery. In this sense, his paintings are like portraits of reality. Drawing on similarities he offers truly delightful versions of these facades and statues, as well as challenging established conception on painting and reality. Presented on large scale canvases it’s obvious that the motivation always lays within the performance, the act of painting. There can be no doubt that De Vliegher is a painter.
Anglika Knäpper Gallery is publishing a catalogue in connection to the exhibition. Facades and Statues is a fully illustrated catalogue with a text by Willy Van Den Bussche, Honorary Director of the Museum of Modern Art at Oostende.
De Vliegher is a painter. Holding his brush, in what seems a distinctly light and loose manner, he applies the paint with skilful accuracy, bending every stroke to match his intentions. The result, a compilation of paint, form, light, shadows is in movement and perfect harmony. The well-defined and recognisable motives in this exhibition are found in Rome and the region of Tuscany.
De Vliegher is using the photographic imagery as a starting point in his work. However, the paintings are never the result of a wish to imitate, or mimic reality. The relationship between the notion of reality, painting, and the status of photography has been the topic of great discussions over centuries. Yet, in De Vliegher’s work reality seems as important as unavoidable, and an obvious source of inspiration. However based on familiar imagery, De Vliegher offers his own particular version of the scenery. In this sense, his paintings are like portraits of reality. Drawing on similarities he offers truly delightful versions of these facades and statues, as well as challenging established conception on painting and reality. Presented on large scale canvases it’s obvious that the motivation always lays within the performance, the act of painting. There can be no doubt that De Vliegher is a painter.
Anglika Knäpper Gallery is publishing a catalogue in connection to the exhibition. Facades and Statues is a fully illustrated catalogue with a text by Willy Van Den Bussche, Honorary Director of the Museum of Modern Art at Oostende.