Biography
Leon Vranken (1975) was born in Maaseik, Belgium
He lives and works in Antwerp
Unlike artists, designers are problem solvers, they have to think about efficiency. Utensils have a rich history, one that is deeply rooted in functionality. Leon Vranken’s work deals with a lack thereof. The different components that act here as applied art are primarily visual art. It’s not the division or hierarchy between design and art that captures Vranken’s attention, but the underlying motives. Vranken engages in a charm offensive with the viewer. One that is marked by wit, cleverness and a strong sense of aesthetics. He alludes to recent art historical categories, concepts and genres, often derived from painting. They also refer to themselves, to how they are exhibited. Stuck, as if anytime tension could break. Objects as an instrument of reflection instead of use. As if they are mediators between different disciplines.
Courtesy Gallery Sofie Van de Velde
http://leonvranken.com/
CV
Solo Exhibitions
- 2019 A salute to the wheel, Mariondecannière, Antwerp, Belgium
- 2017 Great plans, random ideas, Meessen De Clercq, Brussels, Belgium
- 2015 ( 13 ) 2 = 1, LLS 387, ruimte voor actuele kunst, Antwerp, Belgium
- 2014 Paper, Scissors, Stone, Z33, Hasselt, Belgium
- 2013 A Cat’s Eye Perspective, Meessen De Clercq, Brussels, Belgium
- 2011 Don’t whistle ‘til you’re out of the wood, White Box, New York, USA
- 2010 The Beauty of Painting (Chapter I), Concertgebouw, Brugge, Belgium
- 2009 The Travelling Riddle, Stella Lohaus Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium
- 2007 The Garden with the Two-forked Paths, Diaz Contemporary, Toronto, CanadaVerger Barré, Maes en Matthys Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium
Group Exhibitions
- 2021 BEND STRETCH RELAX, Gallery Sofie Van de Velde, Antwerp, BE
- 2018 Fiac Projects (Le Petit Palais), curated by Marc-Olivier Wahler, Paris, France The Unending Gift, Meessen De Clercq, Brussels, Belgium
Holes, Bumps, Discs and Knots, Art Partout Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium Beaufort, curated by Heidi Ballet, Knokke, Belgium
The Gathering, Panthera Today, Brussels, Belgium - 2017 RE-art II, Brussels, Belgium
- 2016 Artist project, Art Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
- 2015 A.N.T.H.R.O.P.O.C.E.N.E, Meessen De Clercq, Brussels, BelgiumNo Walls, Fenix hall, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- 2014 Homo Ludens, Meessen De Clercq, Brussels, Belgium Encounters at the Boundary, CC Puurs, BelgiumRE-art, Kapel van het O.L.Vrouwehospitaal, Oudenaarde, Belgium Van de sokkel, Hof De Bist, Ekeren, BelgiumFata Morgana, IKOB, Eupen, Belgiu
- 2013 Happy Birthday dear academie, Royal academy of Fine arts, curated by HELD,Antwerp, Belgium My little Paradise, Middelheim Museum, Antwerp, BelgiumUp close and personal, Cultuurcentrum Mechelen, Mechelen, Belgium
