In 2026, the Cultuurvuur Biennale will have a central theme for the first time: The Chemistry of Light: Photosynthesis.
I took as the starting point for my paintings the magical moment when photosynthesis takes place: when CO₂ and water, under the influence of light, are converted into oxygen and glucose. I translated that reaction into a simple visual language that can be recognised in the works: the hexagon refers to glucose, the circles to oxygen.
The coal I work with is the result of photosynthesis that took place millions of years ago: literally, fossilised light.
Cultuurvuur Biennale untill August 31 – daily from 10am to 6pm
Website Cultuurvuur Biennial : https://cultuurvuur.be/
Website Meise Botanical Garden : https://www.plantentuinmeise.be/
Biënnale Cultuurvuur 2026
1 mei > 31 augustus 2026 Plantentuin Meise Locatie An Vanderlinden: Kasteel van Boechout, bovenaan in de linker toren,
Overview
Versteend Licht / Petrified Light: installation view
Versteend Licht / Petrified Light
Coalpaint & coal on canvas, 100x120 cm, 2026
Overview work 2 & 3
Wat ontstaat : installation view
Wat ontstaat / What Arises
Coalpaint on canvas, 60 x 80 cm, 2026
Fragment : installation view
Fragment
Fragment
Coalpaint on canvas, 30 cm, 2026