KMSKA museum guide (PhD in Art and Neurolinguistics from the University of Antwerp) Igor Beloushchenko visited the studio of sculptor Hans Op de Beeck in Anderlecht, whose full-scale exhibition ‘Nachtreis’ is currently enjoying exceptional success among living artists (until 17 August 2025) at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp. I am more impressed by the English title ‘Nocturnal Journey’. There is something in this immersive project that resembles a promenade through an exhibition, gliding along uneven paths, a kind of immersion in the creative atmosphere of the ‘artist’, whose works can be seen in London, Venice, New York and Stockholm. Into the dream world of his characters, whose models include his own daughters. Hans’ cinematic approach to his projects gives the viewer this immersive effect of presence, empathy, and participation. It is as if you are living the characters’ own destinies with them. Igor Beloushchenko spoke with the sculptor in his studio, took a look behind the scenes of the exhibition, and literally touched his ideas and works.
Био:
Hans Op de Beeck was born in 1969 in Turnhout (Belgium). He is an artist working in the genres of installation, sculpture, video, animation and painting. In his works, he explores themes of memory, time, everyday life and human existence, combining realistic images with a meditative, often monochrome aesthetic.
He received his art education at Sint-Lukas Brussels University of Art and Design, then continued his studies at the Higher Institute for Fine Arts (HISK) in Antwerp (now in Ghent), and later at the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten in Amsterdam. Hans Op de Beeck’s works have been exhibited at the Venice Biennale, Tate Modern (London), Centre Pompidou (Paris), National Gallery of Art (Washington) and other major museums and galleries around the world.
“I really love old paintings and the idea of providing a window to the world. To invite the viewer to simply look, without distraction. I hope to evoke that moment when someone puts aside their personal stories and can simply be alone with the image or inside it. For me, this is the space of art that I also find in old paintings. Just looking at a landscape by Joachim Patinir or an interior by Johannes Vermeer and letting go of everything. I really believe in the old idea of catharsis: the tragic and problematic, but at the same time comforting power of the image.”
We recorded a video report, ‘Night Journey,’ on Hans Op de Beeck’s exhibition with Igor Beloushchenko at KMSKA for Art Reporter Belgium. Those of you who have had the chance to visit ‘Nachtreis’ will find new thoughts for yourselves. Those who are still planning to go should hurry to the exhibition (open on Thursdays for night viewings).