Atelier José Vermeersch
A creative spirit such as that of José Vermeersch can only be experienced in the house where he lived and produced his oeuvre. Visit the Atelier José Vermeersch and experience his day to day environment.
Atelier José Vermeersch
On 6 November 1922 an exceptional artist, José Vermeersch (1923-1997), was born in Bissegem. In 1961 he and his wife settled in the rural surroundings of Lendelede, where he set up his studio next to their home. Vermeersch was known not only for his sculpture, but also for his paintings. His oeuvre focused on fractions and proportions. In 2010 his studio was opened to the public and became Atelier José Vermeersch, a non-profit organisation. In 2021 the building was the subject of major renovations. The site has also been the starting point of the José Vermeersch hiking trail since 2023.
Kneeling man (1970) - José Vermeersch
José Vermeersch painted ceramic sculptures using latex paint. It was an attempt to transform his nude figures on canvas into three-dimensional images. The Kneeling Man (1970) shows a pink figure applied with dark pink, light blue and brown brushstrokes. He is kneeling in a dramatic pose, with his hands in the air and open mouthed in amazement. It is a depiction with a narrative that captures the imagination.
Field Oven (1985) - José Vermeersch
In 1985 Vermeersch started an experiment in his own garden, where he designed a field oven. He had already conducted the same experiment earlier, in 1979, but this time he built a larger one. With assistance from his son Rik, he managed to place thirty five large sculptures inside it. Wilfried Bertels and the then Belgian broadcaster BRT made an award-winning documentary about it. In the documentary the artist indicated that he wanted to pick up his brushes again and focus more on painting.
Pink Figure (1969) - José Vermeersch
Although Vermeersch is best known for his sculpture, he also painted a great deal. He trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and Constant Permeke was one of his tutors. Until 1969, he mainly focused on painting. The Pink Figure is a typical example of his work during the 1968-1969 period. The artist highlights the skin using a pink colour, similar to the Kneeling Man. The use of colour and lack of detail force us to contemplate the meaning of the work.
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