All artworks by Michaël Borremans
Recognition
The Artist was highlighted in an article in ArtMajeur Magazine
Biography
Michaël Borremans, born in 1963 in Geraardsbergen, Belgium, is a painter and filmmaker who lives and works in Ghent. Known for his meticulously crafted, often unsettling works, Borremans' art draws inspiration from classical techniques and themes, particularly from the 18th century. He cites Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas, and the Spanish master Diego Velázquez as significant influences, evident in his brushwork and compositional style. His approach to painting often juxtaposes historical art techniques with ambiguous, sometimes surreal, contemporary scenes.
Borremans studied at the Sint-Lucas Hogeschool voor Wetenschap en Kunst in Ghent, where he earned his M.F.A. in 1996. Although originally trained as a photographer, he transitioned to painting and drawing in the mid-1990s, often using old photographs as references for his hauntingly still, figurative works. He also began using his own photographs and commissioned sculptures as a basis for his later paintings.
His career breakthrough occurred when fellow painter Jan Van Imschoot discovered his work at a local pub exhibition and connected him with Jan Hoet, the influential founder of the Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst (S.M.A.K.) in Ghent. This introduction led to a key collaboration with Frank Demaegd, owner of the Zeno X Gallery in Antwerp, where Borremans held his first major solo exhibition.
Borremans' work has garnered international acclaim, with his paintings displayed in major museums and galleries around the world. His distinctive style, often characterized by unsettling narratives and surreal depictions of figures in ambiguous, dreamlike spaces, challenges viewers' perceptions and evokes a sense of unease.
However, Borremans' career faced controversy in 2022 when his book As Sweet as It Gets (2014) appeared in the background of a Balenciaga advertising campaign, which was criticized for imagery suggesting the sexualization of children. This incident drew attention to some of Borremans' more provocative works, particularly his 2018 series Fire from the Sun, which features disturbing depictions of toddlers covered in blood and interacting with what appear to be human limbs. Although Borremans was not directly involved in the campaign, the inclusion of his book sparked widespread online backlash, especially on social media platforms like Twitter.
Despite the controversy, Michaël Borremans remains a significant figure in contemporary art, known for his masterful technique and ability to merge the classical and modern in haunting, thought-provoking ways.
-
Nationality:
BELGIUM
- Date of birth : 1963
- Artistic domains: No artwork available yet
- Groups: Contemporary Belgian Artists