The artistic practice of Peter Depelchin (°1985, Ostend, Belgium; lives and works in New York, USA) consists largely of a new contemporary approach to the tableau vivant, built on a web of inspirations drawn from art history, literature, and high-resolution astrophysical imagery. The works evoke mystical cults, distorted and dreamlike architectures, and astronomical phenomena that seem to be traces of a bygone past. They bring together the signs and symbols of an iconography that makes myth resonate with the contemporary world. The meticulous use of geometric motifs and an eclectic approach to the representation of space produce abstract features and artistic outcomes that are both stimulated and challenged by a radically archetypal, allegorical, and theatrical approach to figuration. The staging of real-life “tableaux vivants” involving the artist's family and friends contributes concretely to this dialogue between naturalism and abstraction. The juxtaposition of these seemingly anachronistic elements inevitably evokes a certain timelessness, at the crossroads of past and future. Through his incomparable aesthetic language, the artist creates his own cosmogony, shedding new light on contemporary drawing and questioning the current context of unlimited image availability.

EDUCATION:

2003-2005: Bachelor Printmaking / Lithography

2005-2007: Master Printmaking / Drawing (LUCA - School of Arts, Ghent, Belgium)

PROFESSION - ART TEACHER

• La Cambre, Brussels, BE (2021-2022)

• Westhoek Academie Koksijde, BE (2008-2023)

• Artevelde Hogeschool, Ghent, BE (2008-2010)

• de Kunstacademie Knokke-Heist, BE (2007-2010)

RESIDENCIES:

2022: Tamat residency, Jan. ‘22 - Dec ‘22, Tournai, BE

2016: Residency Unlimited, Feb. ‘16 - May ‘16, NY, US

2014: Academia Belgica, Sep. ‘14 - Feb. ‘15, Rome, IT

2008: IK-eiland, Nov. ‘08 - Feb. ‘09, Vlissingen, NL

AWARDS, GRANTS, PRIZES:

2022: Prix Elisabeth Burdot - laureate (Brussels BE)

2018: Ronse Drawing Prize – selection (Ronse, BE)

2016: Prize Ernest Albert Belgium – laureate (Mechelen, BE)

2016: Residency Unlimited – selection/residency (NY, US)

2014: Academia Belgica – selection/residency (Rome, IT)

2013: Kids of Dada – selection (London, UK)

2013: Premio Ora – selection (S. Donà di Piave, IT)

2012: Young Masters Art prize – selection (London, UK)

2007: Input-Output – laureate (Bruges, BE)

2007: Out of Control, VUB – exhibition (Brussels, BE)

EXHIBITIONS ((S) = soloshow):

2024

•(S) Cosmogonical Treat, Husk Gallery, Brussels, BE

•Paréidolie, Salon du Dessin Contemporain, Marseille, FR

•Rops et le Climat, Namur, BE •Abstract, TAMAT, Tournai, BE

•Betekendt, Kunstenhuis, Harelbeke, BE

•Drawing Beyond the Surface, LIC-A, The Factory, NY, US

•Thiasos, Husk Gallery, Brussels, BE

2023

•Caravaggio, Sint-Amanduskapel, Ghent, BE

•(S) Art on Paper, Husk Gallery Booth, Brussels, BE

•Masks, KODA/RU house, Governor’s Island, NY, US

•(S)Hommage à Pan II, Musée Félicien Rops, Namur, BE

•Dialogues, Husk Gallery, Brussels, BE

•(S)Hommage à Pan I, Château de Thozée, Mettet, BE

2022

•R22, TAMAT, Tournai, BE

•Ovidius Achterna, de Koolputten, Waasmunster, BE

•(S)Mystic Heated Wine beyond the Event Horizon, Husk Gallery, Brussels, BE

•Prix Elisabeth Burdot, Gallery Marie-Ange Boucher, Brussels, BE

•The Circus we are in the City of Namur, Namur, BE

•BCBGenres, Arte-Fac, Cliniques Universitaire Saint-Luc, Brussels, BE

2021

•Panta Rhei, Husk Gallery, Brussels, BE

•AIMPE 2021, Inbe Art Space, Tokushima, JP

•Getekend, Bogardenkapel, Bruges, BE

•(S)The Great God Pan, Husk Gallery, Brussels, BE

2020

•Extra Small, Maison des Arts, Schaerbeek, BE

•The Clown Spirit, Ronny van de Velde Gallery/Rossaert, Knokke-Zoute/Antwerp, BE

•In Arcadia, Husk Gallery, Brussels, BE

•#VillalesZéphyrs, Villa LesZéphyrs, Middelkerke, BE

2019

•(S)A Fountain in A Garden by A Sea, Nathalia Tsala Gallery, Brussels, BE

2018

•Ronse Drawing Prize, CC De Ververij, Ronse, BE

•Harmony of difference, Light Cube Gallery, Ronse, BE

2017

•Zoveel Many Trees >< Abattre, La Vallée, Brussels, BE

•Tuinfeest & Veilingen, Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens, Deurle, BE

•(S)CANTICLE, Brilliant Champions Gallery, NY, US

2016

•(S)ORTO, Light Cube Gallery, Ronse, BE

•Duo show, Praetoria, Antwerp, BE

•Outside in - a cosmpopolitan showcase, NY, US

•1st Lustrum, IK-eiland, Vlissingen, NL

•Prize Ernest Albert for drawing, Mechelen, BE

•(S)Arts on Site, performance venue, NY, US

•Afterimage, Rachel Steinberg, inCube Arts, NY, US

•Art Transfo, In love with beauty, Zwevegem, BE

•(S)Sanctuary, Offspace, NY, US

2015

•Works on paper, Light Cube Gallery, Ronse, BE

•Questies, Kapel Ster der Zee, Koksijde, BE

•No more Secrets, PAK, Gistel, BE

•Group show, Villa de Olmen, Wieze, BE

•Duo show, Collectief Euphrosina B., Ostend, BE

2014

•(S)Visions, Academia Belgica, Rome, IT

•Come together, maxxi, Rome, IT

•WARUM, Warmuseum, Zonnebeke, BE

2013

•ZOOM, Kasteel Beauvoorde, Veurne, BE

•SOOF, Dutch Movie, Bergen (Noord-Holland), NL

•(S)Recht in uw Bakkes, CC De Spil, Roeselare, BE

2012

•Mise en Abyme, CC Ter Dilft, Bornem, BE

•(S)Folies de Flandre, Sint-Rita Kerk, Harelbeke, BE

•Schriftuur/Scripture, De Bond, Bruges, BE

•Schatten van de Duinenabdij, Koksijde, BE

•Young Masters, Rupert Cavendish, London, UK

2011

•(S)Dermatobia Hominis, Veurne, BE

•Pure Peinture 11, 5de biënnale, Diksmuide, BE

•I AM HURT, Ghent, BE •See*point, Koksijde, BE

•(S)Theatrum Mundi IV, De Brouckère, Torhout, BE

2010

•Gegoten Lood, Den Haag, NL

•(S)MONSTRAR, P. Saenredamproject, Rotterdam, NL

•(S)Theatrum Mundi V -Cythera- , Kasteel van Gaasbeek, BE

•Skulls, skeletons and bones, Ostend, BE

2009

•Thats all folks, Bruges, BE

•Droomburchten en Luchtkastelen, Kasteel van Gaasbeek, BE

•(S)Gallery s&h de buck, Ghent, BE

•Pure Peinture 09, 4de biënnale, Diksmuide, BE

•(S)Fructusycomorus, Non-Space de Laurier, Bruges, BE

2008

•(S)Theatrum Mundi III, I K- island, Vlissingen, NL

•In flux, Mons, BE

•Waldweben, Het Betoverd Bos, St.-Maria-Aalter, BE

•Over Tekenen,Witte Zaal, Ghent, BE

•(S)Theatrum Mundi II, Zelzate, BE

•(S)Theatrum Mundi I, Bogardenkapel, Bruges, BE

2007

•Input-Output, Bruges, BE

•FRIS V, Courtesy Jan Colle Gallery, Ghent, BE

•Out of Control, VUB, Brussels, BE

•BE-VANGEN, Nieuwpoort, BE

PUBLICATIONS:

• Carpiaux, V; Tonglet, D; Van Hecke, Ingrid; (2023). Hommage à Pan, Peter Depelchin. Province de Namur; Stichting Kunstboek.

•Wuyts, E; Crabbé S. ; Ruyters, M ; Gribaumont, G ; Van Hecke, I ; (2021). Peter Depelchin 2014-2021. Brussels : Husk Gallery.

•Van Canneyt, H; (2020). 4231 Questions to 123 Artists. merpaperkunsthalle//borgerhoff-lamberigts.

•Vercoutere, F. (2014). Warum, Ieder zijn oorlog. Zonnebeke: Gemeente Zonnebeke & de Letterschuur.

•Depelchin, H.; Depelchin, P. (2013). ZOOM, 300 jaar grensverhaal / 300 ans d’histoire frontalière. Antwerp: Herita v.z.w. & Share Your Art Now.

•Depelchin, P. (2013). Theatrum Mundi, 2006-2012. Kortrijk: self-published; Rein Lapauw; Julien Lanoo; Fotorama; Zquadra.

•Boone, R.; Cools, J.; Jacobs, J.; Van Bellingen, S.; Verhaeghe, J.; Dewilde, M. (2012). Conversaties/Conversations, Tentoonstellingen 2012-1995. Bruges: Cultuurcentrum Brugge.

•Depelchin, P. (2012). Djahiliya/Ignorance, selected works.Ostend: self-published.

•Herweyers, N.; Vanclooster, D. (2012). Schatten van de Duinenabdij. Bruges: Uitgeverij Van de Wiele

•Vercruysse, W.; Kessels, R.; Coeck, A. (2012). Folies de Flandre, Triptiek voor cello. Kortrijk: AUURK records.

•Lio, C. (2012). Premio Ora 2012. San Donà di Piave (VE): Marcaprint; Associazione culturale RADAR

•Tricot, X. (2010). Skulls, Skeletons & Bones, Contemporary Belgian Art. Ostend: Vision Publishers.

•Depelchin.P. (2010). Theatrum Mundi V, Cythera. Ghent: De Zachte Klaarte

•Dewilde, M; Jacobs, J. (2009). That’s all Folks! The Clash between reason and destiny. Bruges: Cultuurcentrum Brugge.