Stefaan Van Akoleyen
(Dendermonde,
1962 )
Since the 1990s, Stefaan Van Akoleyen has been transforming pieces of dead wood, instruments and other found objects by giving them a new skin with shiny tape in basic colours. The shape of the object or the grain in the wood determines the lining of the tape. These dynamic, multicoloured painting-sculptures offer a new perspective on existing patterns and forms, thereby evoking underlying or essential feelings and associations. Van Akoleyen emerged as a visual artist in 2008 when he participated in an art programme on national television. He was noticed by Jan Fabre for his originality and choice of materials. Since then, his work has been shown in group exhibitions such as Middle Gate (2013) and Laboratorium (2015), curated by Jan Hoet and Jan Fabre respectively.
