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Vanessa Yung


JEF VERHEYEN
	Axel Vervoordt Gallery
 
If Kim Mi-jeong, manager of Axel Vervoordt Gallery, could use just three words to describe the late Belgian artist Jef Verheyen's work, they would be "feeling with eyes".
"Verheyen's works go beyond factual descriptions of the world and transcend mere physical human experience," Kim says.
"He brings the mystical and spiritual experience to us, not by adopting new techniques or materials, but by the simple act of painting with canvas and brush. His works are very natural and organic."
Born in Itegem, 40km southeast of Antwerp, Verheyen spent his entire career studying the subtleties of colour and light. His technique of building up layers of paint in a series of transluscent glazes allowed him to completely hide his brushstrokes, a method that made his colours appear to hover on the canvas.
Six of his works will be on show at the Axel Vervoordt Gallery.
"Colour and light are primal elements for the painter to explore the visible and invisible world throughout his career," says Kim.
"He employs many colours to create a single dimensionality or non-dimensionality. His work makes us perceive all colours as one, just like we perceive light as a whole."
The further use of geometric structure and diagonal lines later in his career (he died in 1984 of a heart attack) continues to change our perception as we experience the world around us, adds Kim.
Verheyen studied painting, drawing and ceramics at the Royal Academy and the Higher National Institute from 1947 to 1952.
One of the biggest turning points in his career was after he met Günther Uecker, a leading figure of the Zero movement, which Verheyen became an active member of by promoting avant-garde styles, in particular relating to light and movement.
"In recent years, his works have been re-examined in a historical context as a major inspiration to the movement and to contemporary artists of the time such as Lucio Fontana, Yves Klein, Piero Manzoni, Otto Piene and Günther Uecker," says Kim.
"Verheyen's work speaks a universal language and will reach and touch global audiences with no geographic borders. It expands the way we experience the world."
 
Axel Vervoordt Gallery, unit D, 15/F Entertainment Building, 30 Queen's Road Central, Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11am- 7pm. Ends March 7. Inquiries: 25032331
 


Jef Verheyen show - Belgian makes us see all colours as one 

Diagon A/B B/C

Verheyen's Spiegel der Wijsheid

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Axel Vervoordt Gallery in Central features six works by late avant-garde artist


Axel Vervoordt Gallery in Central features six works by late avant-garde artist.


Jef Verheyen show - Belgian makes us see all colours as one

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Axel Vervoordt Gallery in Central features six works by late avant-garde artist

Axel Vervoordt Gallery in Central features six works by late avant-garde artist