"Nature as a Mirror: Imagination, Structure, and Form"
For the first time, the works of Yasmine Willems, Jef Faes, and Jef Gysen are brought together in this presentation. While each artist brings a distinct perspective, their work is united by an exploration of the deep relationship between humans and nature. Through their individual approaches, these three artists reveal how nature is not only something we perceive but also something we understand as an integral part of ourselves—shaping our daily lives, philosophies, and emotions.
Yasmine Willems: Nature as Inner Experience
Willems places subjective experience at the heart of her work. For her, nature is not just an external force but an inner presence. By subtly abstracting elements of the living world and playing with natural phenomena like wind, rain, and sunlight, she makes the sensory world tangible. Willems' work symbolizes how nature resonates within us: we are part of it, yet we remain observers. Her art invites quiet contemplation on the timelessness and mystique of nature.
Jef Faes: Nature as Structure and Pattern
Faes merges science and art to breathe life into natural patterns and geometric structures. In his work, nature is portrayed not as chaotic but as a system of harmony and perfection. Inspired by honeycomb structures, Faes transforms these organic forms into abstract and geometric art. His exploration of nature—such as his collaboration with honeybees—is informed by scientific precision, which manifests in carefully painted patterns and sculptural experiments. His fusion of painting and sculpture underscores the inseparable connection between form and color, nature and human intervention.
Jef Gysen: Nature as Vivid Reality
Gysen brings nature to life through his figurative painting, focusing on the subtle interplay of color, texture, and composition. His process begins with the creation of a meticulously crafted maquette in his studio; a scaled model that allows him to study form, light, and shadow in detail before translating it onto the canvas. This careful, hands-on approach is paired with his patient observation of the world around him, resulting in paintings that pulse with the vitality of nature itself. Rather than relying on bold, expressive strokes, Gysen achieves a delicate balance in his brushwork to create a deeply tangible reality. His art not only represents the natural world but also enriches it, merging nature and imagination into a quiet, poetic harmony.